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ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
OAKES AMES
AND
DONOVAN STEWART CORRELL
FIELDIANA: BOTANY
^VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1
Published by
CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
AUGUST 29, 1952
ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
Lycaste virginalis (L. Skinneri). 1, flowering plant (X M); 2, flower and
peduncle (X /1>); 3, column, front-side view (X %). Drawn by D. E. Tibbitts.
ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
OAKES AMES
Director, Botanical Museum of Harvard University, 1935-1950
AND
DONOVAN STEWART CORRELL
United States Department of Agriculture
Formerly Research Associate, Botanical Museum of Harvard University
FIELDIANA: BOTANY
VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1
Published by
CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
AUGUST 29, 1952
•*"!• UDHARY OF TH2
NOV101C32
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
mm nr,Y i IRRARY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY CHICAGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM PRESS
PREFACE
The present work brings together for the first time information
concerning all the known orchids of Guatemala (and British Hon-
duras), a total of 527 species and 25 varieties in 89 genera. This
more than doubles the 238 species given by Hemsley, in 1886-88,
as occurring in Guatemala. All of the genera are illustrated, as
well as more than one hundred additional species. In view of the
extreme richness of the flora of Guatemala, further botanical col-
lecting will unquestionably result in the finding of additional genera
and species now not known to occur there.
Without the unselfish assistance of many individuals and institu-
tions this work would have been impossible. To all those individuals,
especially the botanical collectors and those concerned with the
various herbaria, we wish to express our sincere appreciation for
their valuable contributions and co-operation, and for the many
courtesies extended us during the course of this work.
The late Professor Oakes Ames was the guiding spirit and con-
structive critic of this research. He also supported the work and
made available most of the illustrations used herein. The junior
author did the active research and is personally responsible for all
specimen determinations and the text matter. This project was
carried on in the excellent Oakes Ames Herbarium and Library in
the Botanical Museum of Harvard University.
Our profound appreciation is extended to the artists, Blanche
Ames (Mrs. Oakes Ames) ; Gordon Winston Dillon, of the Botanical
Museum of Harvard University and the American Orchid Society;
Dorothy 0. Allen (Mrs. Paul H. Allen), United Fruit Company,
Costa Rica; D. E. Tibbitts, Chicago Natural History Museum;
Elsie H. Froeschner, and Eleonar B. Phillips, for the privilege of
including their fine drawings.
We are indebted to Margaret Ward Lewis (Mrs. B. B. Lewis),
not only for her botanical collections but also for the use of her
diagnostic photographs of many Guatemalan orchids. The courtesy
of Dr. J. R. Johnston in placing at our disposal his botanical col-
lections and watercolors of Guatemala orchids is also gratefully
acknowledged.
To our colleagues, Mr. Charles Schweinfurth, of the Botanical
Museum of Harvard University, and Dr. Louis 0. Williams, now
with the Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Tegucigalpa, Honduras,
we are especially indebted. Without Mr. Schweinfurth's valuable
and never failing generous help throughout the course of this work
and up to the last item of assembling materials for publication this
task would have been nearly insurmountable. The stimulating
discussions with Dr. Williams, who was simultaneously preparing
his present publication on the orchids of Mexico (Ceiba, No. 1: 1-98.
June 20, 1951, Part I), aided greatly in clarifying many controversial
points of nomenclature.
To the late Mr. Alfred C. Weatherby we are indebted for friendly
advice and valuable assistance, especially in the application of rules
of nomenclature.
We wish to acknowledge the co-operation of Professor Paul C.
Mangelsdorf, Director of the Botanical Museum of Harvard Uni-
versity, who greatly facilitated the final assembling of material
comprising this work, and Dr. Robert E. Woodson, Missouri
Botanical Garden, for the loan of certain of the orchid cuts.
To Mr. Louis C. Bierweiler, of the Botanical Museum of Harvard
University, we are grateful for considerate and unselfish co-operation
at all times, and to the junior author's wife, Dr. Helen Butts Correll,
we are indebted for assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.
Finally, we wish to thank Dr. Frans Verdoorn for his permission
to adopt, in part, the Introduction used herein from the junior
author's book, Native orchids of North America, north of Mexico,
published by Chronica Botanica, 1950.
The specimens that provide the basis for this work are those in
the Oakes Ames Orchid Herbarium and Gray Herbarium of Harvard
University, the Herbarium of Chicago Natural History Museum,
the National Herbarium, Washington, and the University of
Michigan Herbarium.
In the text, the treatment of the genera follows the recent
phylogenetic system of classification of the Orchidaceae proposed
by Rudolf Schlechter in 1926 ( Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und
Museums Berlin-Dahlem, Bd. 9, no. 88, pp. 563-591). In this
system the simple and primitive genera are followed by the more
complex and advanced. The arrangement of the species, which have
been treated rather broadly, is alphabetical within a genus. The
keys are basically artificial; that is, they have been constructed
primarily for utility and not for the purpose of showing relationship.
vi
The scientific names are in accord with the definite regulations
prescribed by the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature
(1935) for the publication and treatment of botanical names.
We would be remiss if we did not give special mention to some
of the collectors who have provided the bulk of the material upon
which this work rests. Besides Mrs. Lewis and Dr. Johnston,
mentioned above, more than 75 individuals have made collections
of Guatemalan orchids that are cited in this work. Although it is
not possible to enumerate here each of these it would seem to be
worth while to mention those who have contributed most to this
publication.
Among the early collectors who visited Guatemala are George
Ure Skinner, Theodor Hartweg, Osbert Salvin, Frederick DuCane
Godman, Julius von Warscewicz, Hermann Wendland, and Gustav
Bernoulli.
Skinner first came to Guatemala in 1831 from England. Because
of his keen interest in living orchid plants, which resulted in his
introducing nearly 100 species into horticulture, he gave great
impetus to the cultivation of orchids in England. Many of these
introductions were new to science. It is of interest that he was the
first to introduce a living plant of Odontoglossum into England.
Many of Skinner's discoveries adorn Bateman's massive book on the
orchids of Mexico and Guatemala. It is unfortunate that the
Guatemala national flower, Ly caste virginalis (L. Skinneri), named
in honor of Skinner, had to be renamed because of the rules of
priority in botanical nomenclature.
Hartweg, in 1839, explored mainly Volcan de Agua. Warscewicz
first came to Guatemala in 1846. During his stay in Central America
he discovered many new orchids, some of which were of outstanding
ornamental value. Wendland collected primarily on Volcan de
Fuego in 1857, and later, in 1873, Godman and Salvin explored
both Volcan de Fuego and Volcan de Agua. Bernoulli was in
Guatemala between 1864 and 1878, during which time he collected
alone, or with Rich. Cario, primarily in the departments on the
Pacific slope.
Unquestionably, no department in Guatemala is so thoroughly
known in regard to orchids as Alta Verapaz, primarily because of
the large collections made by Hans von Tiirckheim, dating from
1877 to 1908, and later by Harry Johnson, in 1920. These two
collectors found a rather large number of species new to science.
vii
Their work demonstrates what can be accomplished when collecting
is concentrated and confined to a specific region.
Between 1889 and 1892 E. T. Heyde and Ernesto Lux collected
in several departments in central Guatemala and on the Pacific slope.
It is largely through their efforts that we have a fairly good record
of the orchids of Quich£ and Santa Rosa.
During 1905-06 William A. Kellerman made some collections in
several central and southern departments. In 1933-34, Alexander F.
Skutch obtained a small but excellently prepared collection from
several departments, mainly in Huehuetenango and Quiche". Simi-
larly, in recent years, Francis W. Hunnewell has made a small but
discriminating collection, primarily in five of the Pacific coast
departments.
Cyrus L. Lundell's collections from Pete"n, which, along with
those of H. H. Bartlett, formed part of the basis for his work,
The vegetation of Peten (1937), provided us with most of our knowl-
edge of the orchids of that department.
During the period from 1938 to 1942, Paul C. Standley and
Julian A. Steyermark made large collections in Guatemala in their
studies of the flora of that country. Between them they collected
in every department in Guatemala. Because of their work we
realize that any future intensive exploration for orchids in Guatemala
should appreciably augment the species, if not the genera, now
known to occur there, for, in this four-year period, during which
time the orchids formed only a part of a large general collection,
Standley and Steyermark collected specimens of 323 species and
19 varieties of orchids in 68 genera, of which 3 genera, 38 species,
and 4 varieties were new to Guatemala and 8 species were new to
science.
DONOVAN S. CORRELL
August, 1951
CONTENTS
Genera Included in Volume 26, Number 1
Cypripedium 20
Phragmipedium 23
Habenaria 24
Triphora 46
Psilochilus 52
Vanilla 54
Elleanthus 60
Sobralia 64
Crybe 71
Wullschlaegelia 73
Prescottia 75
Cranichis 78
Ponthieva 87
Spiranthes 94
Goodyera 138
Erythrodes 141
Tropidia 151
Corymborchis 153
Stelis 155
Physosiphon 182
Masdevallia 185
Scaphosepalum 193
Lepanthes 194
Pleurothallis 205
Malaxis 262
Liparis 278
Hexisea 284
Nageliella 285
Epidendrum 290
ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Lycaste virginalis Frontispiece
PAGE
Diagram 11
TEXT FIGURES
1. Cypripedium irapeanum 21
2. Phragmipedium caudatum 25
3. Habenaria alata 27
4. Habenaria bractescens 29
5. Habenaria clypeata, H. crassicornis, H. eustachya, H. novemfida,
H. strictissima var. odontopetala, H. repens and H. setifera .... 31
6. Habenaria distans 33
7. Habenaria limosa 37
8. Habenaria quinqueseta 41
9. Habenaria repens 43
10. Habenaria strictissima var. odontopetala 45
11. Triphora cubensis 47
12. Triphora trianthophora 49
13. Triphora trianthophora 51
14. Psilochilus macrophyllus 53
15. Vanilla Pfaviana 56
16. Vanilla planifolia 58
17. Elleanthus capitatus 61
18. Sobralia decora 65
19. Sobralia decora var. aerata 67
20. Crybe rosea 72
21. Wullschlaegelia aphylla 74
22. Cranichis muscosa and Prescottia oligantha 77
23. Cranichis hieroglyphica 83
24. Ponthieva racemosa 90
25. Ponthieva racemosa 91
26. Ponthieva Tuerckheimii 95
27. Spiranthes cinnabarina 104
28. Spiranthes costaricensis 105
29. Spiranthes cranichoides 107
xi
PAGE
30. Spiranthes elata 109
31. Spiranthes orchioides 119
32. Spiranthes parasitica and Malaxis Ehrenbergii 121
33. Spiranthes polyantha 123
34. Spiranthes prasophylla 125
35. Spiranthes stolonifera 132
36. Spiranthes vernalis 137
37. Goodyera major 139
38. Erythrodes ovatilabia 143
39. Erythrodes querceticola 147
40. Erythrodes vesicifera 150
41. Tropidia polystachya 152
42. 43. Corymborchis forcipigera and C. flava 154
44. Stelis bidentata 157
45. Stelis chihobensis 158
46. Stelis ciliaris 159
47. 48. Stelis ciliaris 160
49. Stelis cleistogama 161
50. Stelis despectans 163
51. Stelis Endresii 164
52. Stelis gracilis 165
53. Stelis gracilis 166
54. Stelis guatemalensis 167
55. Stelis hymenantha 168
56. Stelis Johnsonii 170
57. Stelis leucopogon 171
58. Stelis microchila 172
59. Stelis ovatilabia 174
60. 61. Stelis ovatilabia 175
62. Stelis purpurascens 177
63. Stelis rubens 178
64. Stelis rubens var. oxypetala 181
65. Stelis tenuissima 182
66. Physosiphon tubatus 184
67. Masdevallia simula 190
68. Masdevallia tubuliflora 192
69. Scaphosepalum Standleyi 195
70. Lepanthes excedens and Pleurothallis angustisepala 199
71. Pleurothallis Blaisdellii, P. dentipetala and P. Johnsonii 215
72. Pleurothallis verecunda, P. brighamii and P. Grobyi 217
73. Pleurothallis comayaguensis 222
74. Pleurothallis crucilabia and P. triangulipetala 225
xii
PAGE
75. Pleurothallis hastata, P. samacensis, P. divexa and P. abjecta .... 233
76. Pleurothallis Lewisae 239
77. Pleurothallis ruscifolia 249
78. Pleurothallis Broadwayi, P. stenostachya and P. hondurensis .... 255
79. Malaxis aurea and Epidendrum cobanense 266
80. Malaxis Soulei 274
81. Malaxis Steyermarkii 276
82. Malaxis unifolia 277
83. Liparis elata 281
84. Liparis fantastica 283
85. Hexisea bidentata 286
86. Nageliella (Hartwegia) purpurea, N. Bergeriana and N. gemma . . . 289
87. Epidendrum alticola 302
88. Epidendrum anceps 305
89. Epidendrum atropurpureum 308
90. Epidendrum Boothianum 310
91. Epidendrum ciliare 319
92. Epidendrum cochleatum var. triandrum 324
93. Epidendrum difforme 329
94. Epidendrum incomptum 337
95. Epidendrum Lindleyanum 342
96. Epidendrum nocturnum 347
97. Epidendrum oncidioides var. gravidum 351
98. Epidendrum pygmaeum 363
99. Epidendrum radiatum 365
100. Epidendrum rigidum 371
101. Epidendrum Schlechterianum 372
102. Epidendrum Schweinfurthianum 373
103. Epidendrum Skutchii 377
104. Epidendrum sobralioides 379
105. Epidendrum Stamfordianum 381
106. Epidendrum strobiliferum 383
107. Epidendrum trachycarpum and E. Lankesteri 387
xiii
Orchids of Guatemala
INTRODUCTION
The Orchidaceae, a cosmopolitan family attaining its highest
development in the tropics and warm temperate regions of both
hemispheres, is one of the largest families of flowering plants in the
world, consisting of several hundred genera and fifteen thousand
or more species and varieties. It is probably exceeded in number
of species only by the Compositae. In Guatemala, it may well
prove to be the largest family of phanerogamic plants.
The orchid family, which is considered to have originated from
the Liliaceae, is perhaps the most advanced in the Monocotyledoneae.
Some other closely allied families, besides the Liliaceae, are the
Burmanniaceae, Iridaceae, Amaryllidaceae and Hypoxidaceae. Al-
though the family is thought to be rather ancient in respect to
geologic time, no fossil remains have been found. While there is
enormous variation in the form and structure of the various genera
and species, all orchids have a distinctive feature in common which,
for our convenience, superficially separates them from other plants
in our flora. This feature is the column, an elongation of the floral
axis that bears the sexual organs. According to Pfitzer's observations
(1889), the technical and only real difference that separates the
orchids from all other plants is the absence of an embryonic root.
Besides its wide distribution and its large number of species,
the orchid family is unusual among the higher plants for several
reasons, namely, the extreme variations of its complex and highly
specialized flowers; its great variety of habit and diversity of habitat;
the enormous number of seeds produced in a single capsule. Very
few, if any, plant families possess the floral and vegetative variations
found in the Orchidaceae. Because of this extreme variability and
the consequent singularity of the flowers, orchids have acquired
numerous descriptive common names. It is also quite possible that
the physiological adaptations of the genera have no equal in any
other family. Parasitism on higher plants and carnivorism are
perhaps the only physiological functions not definitely known to
occur in the Orchidaceae.
2 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
The number of seeds produced in an orchid capsule is in many
cases phenomenal. The astronomers at the Greenwich Observatory,
England, made an accurate count of the seeds in a capsule of
Cycnoches chlorochilon and found that it contained 3,770,000 seeds.
For a species of Maxillaria, Darwin (1877) accepted Fritz Mueller's
computation that a single capsule yields 1,756,440 seeds, and Darwin
himself estimated that the European Orchis maculata produces
approximately 6,200 seeds in a single capsule. Many of our orchids
produce large numbers of seeds, and it may be noted here that in
many instances the seeds exhibit distinct features for a given species.
In spite of this prolific seed production, however, orchids remain a
comparatively inconspicuous feature of most floras. Although a
number of theories have been advanced, no completely satisfactory
explanation has ever been arrived at in regard to the general rarity
of orchids. Perhaps a fundamental reason is the fact that for the
most part they depend upon external aid for pollination, and chiefly
because of faulty pollination and economy of vitality on the part
of the plant very few seed-pods are formed. Also, the period of
time elapsing between pollination and fecundation is often of long
duration, sometimes as much as several weeks. In the meantime,
the orchid is apt to lose its inflorescence through injury (with con-
sequent loss of fruit production) or succumb to some one of its many
natural enemies. Even so, considering the huge production of seeds
in a single capsule, it stands to reason that only a few fruits are
necessary for the survival of a particular species. Hence, this
delicate biological balance in the Orchidaceae remains in the realm
of speculation.
The microscopic seeds apparently contain no endosperm or stored
food and thus they are thought to be entirely dependent upon external
aid for germination and the growth of the seedling. In nature, fungi
are considered to furnish this assistance and, if the seed is not
destroyed, a compatible relationship is established between the
fungus and the orchid. The delicate balance between the orchid
seedling and the fungus, which may easily be upset to the detriment
of the seedling, is another reason for the rarity of orchids. Perhaps
in nature most, if not all, species of orchids contain within their roots
and rootstocks an endotrophic fungus that occupies the cellular
structure and remains in harmony with the orchid.
A most interesting natural phenomenon in the Orchidaceae is
insect pollination. Although many plants are wind-pollinated, with
few exceptions orchids are pollinated by insects. Each individual
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 3
species seems to have its own peculiar mechanism to insure its
receiving pollen from another plant of the same species. In most
species the column is so formed and placed in the flower that, in
order to reach the nectary, the visiting insect must touch the stigmas
and deposit there any pollen that it may be carrying. Upon leaving,
the insect must first come in contact with the anther and thus
become burdened with another load of pollen or an entire pollinium
that it carries to the stigmas of the next flower visited. In this
manner cross-pollination is effected and self-pollination of the
species is prevented or made unnecessary.
It is believed that many orchids can be pollinated only by a
single specific insect, such as a bumble bee. The pollinating agents
in the Orchidaceae include bees, wasps, various flies and ants as
well as butterflies, moths, beetles, snails and humming birds.
There is always the possibility that irregular flowers, such as
those found in orchids, may revert to a regular structure, the ancestral
and more primitive condition. This reversion of irregular to regular
floral parts is known as "peloria." This condition may also result
from an increase in the number of the modified segments. Peloria
is often hereditary.
Through the ages man has sought orchids, not only for their
satisfying beauty, but also for their once fancied value in alleviating
suffering and for their supposed restorative and procreative powers.
At first their supposed medicinal properties were of primary concern;
the Greeks, Theophrastus and Dioscorides, more than two thousand
years ago advanced the belief that most plants, including a species
of Orchis, could be used for curative purposes. Throughout Europe,
especially during the Renaissance, these ancient Greek concepts
were adhered to and consequently interest centered in those plants
thought to be of medicinal value. Even today in some parts of the
world primitive peoples use some orchids in their therapeutic
practices. However, the singular beauty of the flowers and the
bizarre forms that many of them assume are the primary reasons
for most of the present-day interest in orchids.
From an artistic and esthetic point of view orchids are universally
accorded first place in nature. Their extraordinary beauty makes
them the basis of a multimillion dollar floral industry in the United
States and England. However, aside from their ornamental value,
the family is otherwise of little economic importance. Vanilla, the
extract from the cured unripened pods of various species of the genus
Vanilla, especially V. planifolia in the western hemisphere, is the
4 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
most important commercial product of this large family. A few
Asiatic species have tubers and tuberoids that contain a nutritive
starch associated with a peculiar gum. These tubers are collected
and dried and are placed on the market where they are sold as salep.
This drug is extensively used in oriental countries as a demulcent
nerve tonic, for paralysis, and as a food similar to tapioca. The
leaves of Angraecum fragrans (Jumellea fragrans), of the Seychelles
Islands, are used for making faham tea. Although for centuries
some orchids were considered efficacious in the healing of the sick,
they have fallen into disrepute, and not a single species has been
retained in modern medicine as an indispensable source of any drug.
A few species have miscellaneous household uses as a source of glue
and resin.
Surprisingly, in recent years orchids have received political
recognition. Minnesota has adopted the queenly Cypripedium
reginae as its state flower. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guate-
mala and Honduras have all issued postage stamps commemorating
outstanding species prevalent in their respective geographical regions.
Guatemala has designated the white form of the exceptionally
beautiful Ly caste virginalis (Frontispiece), commonly known as
"Monja Blanca," as its national flower. Likewise, Costa Rica has
adopted Cattleya Skinneri, commonly known as "Guaria morada"
or "Flor de San Sebastian," as its national flower.
DISTRIBUTION OF GUATEMALA ORCHIDS
In 1945, Paul C. Standley and Julian A. Steyermark, whose
collections are of inestimable value to floristic studies of Latin
America and who have traveled and collected widely in Guatemala,
published an informative account of the vegetation of that country
("The Vegetation of Guatemala, a Brief Review," in Plants and
Plant Science in Latin America, edited by Frans Verdoorn, 1945).
This section, devoted to the distribution of Guatemalan orchids,
draws heavily upon their article for basic information, and the follow-
ing quotations are taken direct from them.
"The exceedingly varied types of soil and topography and diverse
geological history of the country, ranging from ancient mountain
masses connected with North America to relatively youthful volcanic
areas, combined with marked altitudinal and climatic variations —
hot desert to cold alpine regions — have given Guatemala the richest
flora in all Central America with an estimated total of 8,000 species
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 5
of vascular plants. Of this number, many are endemics confined
to particular canyons and volcanoes. Many genera and species of
the United States and Mexico reach their southern limits of dis-
tribution in Guatemala, while a large number of South American
genera and species either reach their northern limits of dispersal
here or are unknown elsewhere from other parts of Central America.
Orchidaceae, Leguminosae, and Compositae are especially prominent,
and include hundreds of species, many of which are not found out-
side of Guatemala.
"The great diversity of the country is responsible for the following
large number of floristic regions: (1) the limestone plains of Pete"n;
(2) the mangrove swamps along both coasts; (3) the rain forest of
the Atlantic coast; (4) the low savannas of Izabal and Pete"n; (5) the
mixed forest of the Pacific plains; (6) the arid desert plains-chaparral
of the plateaus of the Oriente and valleys of the Rio Motagua and
Rio Blanco (also called Rio Negro); (7) the wet mountain forest
of Alta Verapaz; (8) the mixed mountain forest of the Pacific boca-
costa; (9) the upland mixed forest of temperate and cold regions;
(10) the coniferous forests; and (11) the alpine regions. . . ."
Although orchids are found in every one of the phytogeographic
regions noted above, several are especially rich in orchids while
others have very few. Those regions where orchids occur most
abundantly are discussed below.
The greatest concentration of orchid genera and species is in
Alta Verapaz, where 242 species, representing 60 genera, have been
found. As Standley and Steyermark have pointed out, the wet
forests of Alta Verapaz, with abundant rainfall the year round,
possess an extremely large and diversified flora, the richest in all
Guatemala. It is especially rich in its abundance and variety of
Orchidaceae and Bromeliaceae.
The low rain forests of the Atlantic coast, covering most of
Izabal, have a luxuriant tropical flora, which, though largely derived
from that of South America and Atlantic Central America, is dis-
tinctive in having a number of endemic species. Izabal, which
includes most of this vegetational area, has 111 species of orchids in
43 genera. Standley and Steyermark write of this country: "The
entire area is included in the humid tropical zone. . . . Bromeliaceae,
Orchidaceae, Peperomias, and many kinds of mosses and hepatics
cover the branches of trees in dense masses. Many species of this
region are not found elsewhere in Guatemala, although some are
also found in the Pacific bocacosta."
6 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
According to Standley and Steyermark, "A large portion of
Guatemala above 5,000 feet [1,525 meters] possesses upland mixed
forests of broad-leaved species. It is a forest which comprises
xerophytic as well as moisture-loving (including cloud forest) types
of plants. Most of the cloud forests in Guatemala occur at an
elevation between 4,500-7,000 feet [1,370-2,135 meters] and have
a rich development of tree ferns, orchids, begonias, bromeliads,
aroids, and bryophytes. Many endemic species are found in these
cloud forests."
The Departments of Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, Guatemala,
and Zacapa lie, in part, in the upland mixed forests. Between 30
and 40 genera of orchids, comprising more than 75 species, are found
in each of these four Departments, with 116 occurring in the Depart-
ment of Guatemala.
The Guatemalan highlands (at 1,525 to 3,810 meters [5,000-
12,500 feet]) consist primarily of coniferous forests of various types,
each with a characteristic flora, and the alpine regions, usually con-
fined to open places on tops of the volcanoes above 3,050 meters
(10,000 feet). Huehuetenango, lying entirely in this region, has a
surprisingly large orchid flora, there being 110 species in 41 genera.
The orchids of this region are predominantly terrestrial. The species
here show affinity with both the Andes of South America and
the higher peaks of North and Central America, and endemism is
pronounced.
The vast limestone plains and low savannahs of Pete"n contain
57 species of orchids in 25 genera. Many of these also occur in
adjacent British Honduras. This region, comprising about one-
third of the total area of Guatemala and averaging about 185 meters
(600 feet) elevation, has a wet and a dry season with both the humid
and arid tropical flora developed.
With the exception of several Departments lying athwart the
Pacific bocacosta, the remaining Departments each have fewer
than 25 genera comprising less than 40 species. Standley and
Steyermark write, regarding the Pacific bocacosta: "The mixed
forests of the lower and middle humid slopes (bocacosta) of the
mountains (up to 3,000 feet) [915 meters] bordering the Pacific
coast possess a rich diversified flora similar to that of the low rain
forest of the north coast of the Atlantic. . . . Rain is plentiful much
of the year and there is a great variety of palms, ferns, vines, and
epiphytes."
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 7
The Departments lying partly in the Pacific bocacosta and the
number of orchid genera and species in each are Quezaltenango,
32 genera and 72 species; San Marcos, 24 genera and 59 species;
Santa Rosa, 27 genera and 58 species; Solola, 28 genera and 47
species; Suchitepequez, 27 genera and 53 species. It is of interest
that many of the species of ornamental value, such as those of
Cattleya and Ly caste, are found in this region.
Since British Honduras is phytogeographically similar to Pete"n,
an effort has been made to include in this work all the orchids that
are known to occur in that country. There are 91 species of orchids
in 40 genera in British Honduras, all but four of which have also
been found in Guatemala. These four are Epidendrum Boothianum,
Galeandra Baueri, Laelia Digbyana, and Spiranthes adnata.
Of the approximately 1,800 species in about 175 genera of
Orchidaceae found in North and Central America, Guatemala has
527 species and 25 varieties in 89 genera. This number is exceeded
only by Costa Rica (half the size of Guatemala) with some 900
species in about 115 genera and Mexico (about seventeen times the
size of Guatemala) with a little more than 600 species in about 80
genera.
Although a surprisingly large number of species in Mexico
(more than 200) have not been collected in Guatemala, there are only
five small genera, comprising only six species, that are found in
Mexico and not in Guatemala. These are Epipactis gigantea,
Acineta Barkeri, Erycina diaphana, E. echinata, Papperitzia Leiboldii,
and Hintonella mexicana. On the other hand, there are in Guate-
mala 14 genera that are not represented in Mexico.
Some of the largest genera in Guatemala are Epidendrum (87
species), Pleurothallis (55 species), Spiranthes (35 species), Oncidium
(33 species), Maxillaria (21 species), and Cranichis and Stelis (each
with 17 species). Since in tropical and warm temperate regions the
greatest number of orchids occur as epiphytes, it is not surprising
to find that of this number only Spiranthes and Cranichis are terres-
trial genera. Besides being the largest genus, Epidendrum is the
most widespread, for it is the only one represented in every
Department.
Although endemism is rather pronounced in some plant families
in Guatemala, most of the genera and species in the Orchidaceae
seem to be generally distributed. There are only 57 species of
orchids, representing 23 genera, apparently confined to Guatemala.
Of these, 9 species are in Epidendrum and 8 in Pleurothallis. Only
8 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
one monotypic orchid genus, Palumbina, is known to be endemic
to Guatemala.
A number of genera in Guatemala have species that are of
ornamental interest and, in the past, were of great commercial value
to the florist industry. Some of these are Brassia, Cattleya, Laelia,
Lycaste, Odontoglossum, and Oncidium. Of these, the largest and
most widespread is Oncidium. It is of interest that the above genera
are more or less concentrated on the Pacific slopes of Guatemala,
primarily in the bocacosta region.
Although soil and topography have a definite influence upon
terrestrial species, there is little doubt that temperature and moisture
are the essential factors that control the distribution and sur-
vival of orchids, both terrestrial and epiphytic. In tropical and
warm temperate regions, such as Guatemala, the greatest number
of orchids occur as epiphytes in rain forests on moderately cool
mountain slopes mainly between 1,000 and 2,300 meters (3,000-
7,500 feet) elevation. Very few species are found in arid regions,
and, of these, most are epiphytic or lithophytic with specially adapted
tissues for storing water.
As noted above, orchids are found in all regions in Guatemala,
from near sea level up to at least 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) altitude.
They thus approach the extreme altitudinal limits of phanerogamic
plants in the country. Although many species have a wide altitudinal
range, the species in some genera are usually found at very low
elevations, such as those in Cattleya and Scaphy glottis. Some species
in other genera, though also usually occurring at lower elevations,
are found at high altitudes. There are 29 species in 16 genera that
are found up to at least 3,050 meters (10,000 feet), while 26 species
in 14 genera extend above 3,100 meters (10,100 feet), and one of
these, Leochilus pygmaeus, occurs up to 4,000 meters (13,100 feet).
Those species found at high elevations in Central America are
often either endemic to the region or show affinity with the flora
of the Andes of South America or that of the high mountains of
North America. For this reason it is of interest to enumerate these
high montane orchids of Guatemala. Those found as high as 3,100
to 3,300 meters (10,100-10,900 feet) are Arpophyllum alpinum,
Corallorhiza macrantha, Cypripedium irapeanum, Epidendrum Chloe,
E. polybulbon, Habenaria entomantha, Malaxis lepanthiflora, Odonto-
glossum bictoniense, Spiranthes hyemalis, S. parasitica, and S. vernalis.
Those occurring as high as 3,300 to 3,500 meters (10,900-11,500
feet) are Epidendrum Lindleyanum, E. ochraceum, Lepanthes oreo-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 9
charis, Physosiphon tubatus, and Spiranthes stolonifera. Those species
that occur at 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) or higher zreGovenia mutica
var. Purpusii, Habenaria limosa, Isochilus linearis, I. major var.
alatus, Leochilus pygmaeus, Malaxis Ehrenbergii, M. Soulei, Pon-
thieva pulchella, Spiranthes minutiflora, and Stelis ovatilabia.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ORCHIDS
Orchids are perennials and are either terrestrial, epiphytic,
lithophytic, semiaquatic or, very rarely, subterranean. Most of the
species found in the temperate zone are terrestrial, while the greater
number of tropical and subtropical orchids are epiphytic or litho-
phytic. The subterranean genera, of which there are two (Rhizan-
thella and Cryptanthemis), are confined to Australia.
Two distinctive types of vegetative growth are found in the
Orchidaceae, sympodial and monopodial. All terrestrial and many
epiphytic orchids have a sympodial main axis, in which growth of
the original main axis ceases at the end of the flowering season, to
be resumed the next year by the development of a different axis,
resulting in a series of successive annual axes. In this type of growth
the inflorescence may be either terminal on the shoot or borne on
the side of the shoot on a short leafless branch. The other form of
growth, monopodial, occurs when the main axis grows steadily
onward year after year, producing new leaves at the apex (rarely
leafless) and bearing flowers on lateral shoots that arise in the axils
of the older leaves.
In respect to the flowers, orchid plants may be hermaphroditic,
dioecious or monoecious, depending upon the genus.
In general, terrestrial orchids have an erect or ascending stout or
slender stem bearing one or more radical or cauline leaves or both
and terminated by one or more flowers. The leaves are either present
at flowering time or appear separately at a different season. When
present, the leaf is entire and varies from a bract-like sheathing leaf
to a slender or broad lamina that is filiform to orbicular, mem-
branaceous to coriaceous or fleshy and often plicate or duplicate.
The roots are fibrous, fleshy or tuberous. Many species have promi-
nent rhizomes upon which adventitious roots are borne; others
produce corms or tubers.
A few of the terrestrial species are saprophytic; that is, they
grow in and derive their nourishment from humus. These plants
are commonly small and inconspicuous. They usually develop a
10 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
coralloid rhizome, are more or less lacking or apparently lacking
in chlorophyll, and have an essentially naked or bracteate greenish,
yellowish or reddish purple stem terminated by a raceme of flowers.
Epiphytic and most lithophytic orchids have no permanent main
roots. Instead, there are adventitious roots that arise mainly from
the nodes of the stem and sometimes form a mat over the sub-
stratum, penetrating into the surrounding medium or hanging free
from the substratum for a considerable length. The aerial roots of
epiphytic orchids have a special development of the epidermis, called
the velamen, which consists of several layers of cells that form a
spongy tissue that rapidly absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.
When these roots are moist they are usually green, but when dry
they are whitish, brownish or ash-colored. When present, the leaves
are similar to those of terrestrial orchids.
Many epiphytic sympodial forms have pseudobulbs. These are
thickened secondary stems, composed of one to several internodes,
which serve as reservoirs of water and food. They are variously
shaped, being mostly globose, pyriform or fusiform, and bear leaves
either throughout their entire length or only at the apex. The
leaves are one or more, simple and entire, and are often thick and
fleshy, being usually well adapted for storing water because of a
thick cuticle.
The inflorescence of the Orchidaceae consists of one or more
flowers and is a spike, simple raceme, or panicle. The zygomorphic
flowers (diagram, p. 11) are either unisexual or bisexual and have an
inferior 1- or 3-celled ovary. They may be small and inconspicuous
or large and showy. Occasionally polymorphic, cleistogamous,
peloric or teratologic flowers are produced. The three sepals as
well as the petals are generally colored instead of being green, as in
most flowers. They may be free from one another or more or less
united, sometimes forming a tube. The symmetrical dorsal sepal
usually differs somewhat in shape from the lateral sepals, which are
more or less oblique. The lateral sepals are either free from each
other or somewhat coherent and are often united at the base, occa-
sionally forming a mentum, or chin, with the foot of the column.
Of the inner segments, the petals, two are regular and identical,
and the third, called the lip, or labellum, is more or less modified.
The lip is properly the uppermost petal of the flower, but in most
species it assumes the lower position in the perianth as a result of
the twisting of the pedicel or pedicel and ovary. It usually differs
markedly in shape, size and coloration from the other two petals
The upper drawing represents a cross section of an orchid flower at a time
in its age-long evolution when all of the organs were distinct. A1-A3, three
stamens of outer whorl; a, a, a, stamens of inner whorl; S, S, position (indicated)
of fertile stigmas; R, sterile stigma that has become the rostellum. The central
figure shows the fruit in cross section, with its three rows of dust-like seeds.
Below the upper drawing a typical column is shown. 1-3, stamens and stigmas
and the central axis of the flower have combined to form the column, the diagnostic
structure of the vast orchid family. The pollinia represent Al of the diagram.
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
11
12 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
and is commonly by far the most conspicuous feature of the flower.
The lip is either simple or variously lobed; flat or more or less saccate;
entire, fringed or variously toothed and notched; and its disk, or
upper surface, is frequently adorned with calli, papillae or lamellae.
It may be only slightly or greatly extended at the base to form a
spur, or nectary.
The column (see diagram), which represents a union of carpels
and is, in part, an elongation of the floral axis, bears at or near the
summit, or laterally, one to rarely three mobile or rigidly attached
anthers and in front on the ventral surface the more or less confluent
stigmas or stigma. In many species a modified stigma, called the
rostellum, projects out over the stigmatic surface and serves to
affix the pollinia to insects. The anther, or anthers, situated behind
the rostellum and often lying upon it, rest in a shallow cavity
called the clinandrium. It is more or less distinctly 2-celled and
contains a mass of pollen or two, four, six or eight distinct pollen
masses, or pollinia, the number present sometimes being used in the
differentiation of genera. The pollen is either powdery, granular-
mealy (sometimes composed of groups of grains), waxy or carti-
laginous. The columns of the various genera and species exhibit
a wide range of variation and are of basic importance in classification.
The column is often produced into a more or less distinct foot.
A detailed discussion of the various parts of the column and
their morphological origin would doubtless be of interest, especially
in relation to their dramatic significance to insect-pollination. How-
ever, in a primarily taxonomic work such as this, space will not permit
too lengthy a discussion of this subject. If detailed information
concerning this subject is desired, an excellent account may be found
in Darwin's Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilized by
Insects (1877). Briefly, in many genera, asListera, Orchis, Oncidium,
etc., part of the rostellum forms a disk to which the pollinia are
attached by a caudicle or stalk. On its under surface this disk
secretes, or there collects, a sticky fast-setting cement. When an
insect enters the flower in search of nectar, the rostellum is
ruptured. The viscid disk is exposed and is so situated that it
comes in contact with the proboscis, head, thorax or abdomen of
the insect and thus becomes attached to the little pollinator.
The fruits of orchids, with few exceptions, are dry capsules and
are variously shaped, being commonly ovoid, ellipsoid or cylindrical.
They are frequently strongly 3-angled, and the angles may be winged.
Vanilla, however, has a more or less cylindrical fleshy pod or "bean."
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 13
In many species the withered flower persists at the apex of the
fruit. When ripe, the dry capsule dehisces along one, two, three
or six longitudinal sutures, with the valves usually, but not always,
remaining united above and below. The minute seeds, composed
of undifferentiated cells, are produced in enormous quantities and
are well adapted for dispersal by wind.
ORCHIDACEAE
Perennial herbs, vines or shrub-like plants of various habits and habitats,
terrestrial, epiphytic, lithophytic, semiaquatic or (very rarely) subterranean,
autophytic or saprophytic, hermaphroditic, dioecious or monoecious, produced
from a short or elongated or (rarely) coralloid rhizome, corm or tuber. Roots
subterranean or aerial, fibrous, fleshy or tuberous, solitary, fasciculate or adventiti-
ous and scattered on the rhizome or stem. Stems terete to ancipitous, sometimes
angular, much abbreviated to elongated, slender to very stout, often modified
as thickened pseudobulbs, naked, bracteate or leafy. Pseudobulbs variously
shaped, usually globose, pyriform or fusiform, one- or more-leaved, subtended
by leaves, sheaths or cataphylls. Leaves simple, radical or cauline or both, per-
sistent, deciduous or marcescent, occasionally altogether lacking, varying from
foliaceous sheathing bracts to a broad or narrow lamina; lamina filiform to orbicular,
membranaceous to fleshy or coriaceous, often duplicate or plicate. Inflorescence
terminal or lateral, supported by an abbreviated to greatly elongated peduncle,
consisting of one or more flowers, commonly a spike, simple raceme or panicle.
Flowers small and inconspicuous to large and showy, zygomorphic, unisexual or
bisexual, sometimes polymorphic; perianth composed of three outer segments
(sepals) and three inner segments (petals), the segments free or more or less united,
adnate to the 1- or 3-celled inferior ovary, one petal (the lip or labellum) usually
complex in structure and differing only slightly to greatly in form, size and colora-
tion from the other segments; lip often extended at the base and forming a spur
or nectary. Stamens and pistils (including the filaments and styles) united to
form, in part, an organ called the column in the center of the flower. Column
various, formed by an elongation of the floral axis, bearing at or near its summit
or laterally one, two or (very rarely) three mobile or rigidly attached anthers,
producing in front on the ventral surface the somewhat confluent stigmas, with
one stigma usually modified to form the rostellum, often produced below into a
foot; anther situated behind the rostellum, resting in a bed or clinandrium, perfectly
or imperfectly 2-celled, containing a mass of pollen or two to eight distinct pollen-
masses or pollinia; pollen powdery, granular-mealy, waxy or cartilaginous. Fruit
a dry capsule or fleshy pod, commonly ovoid, ellipsoid or cylindric, dehiscing
along one, two, three or six longitudinal sutures; seeds numerous, scobicular
(except in Vanilla and Selenipedium).
14 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
KEY TO SUBFAMILIES, TRIBES AND GENERA
A. Stamens 2, a third one transformed into a large staminode; pollen granular,
not united into masses or bodies Subfamily DIANDRAE.
I. Tribe CYPRIPEDILOIDEAE
A. Stamen 1, the two lateral ones abortive or forming small staminodes; pollen
consolidated into masses or solid bodies (pollinia) . . . Subfamily MONANDRAE.
B. Caudicle and viscid disk (gland) arising from the base of the pollinia;
anther erect or more or less resupinate, the broad base very closely adnate
to the column, never deciduous after flowering; pollinia always granular.
Division BASITONAE.
II. Tribe OPHRYDOIDEAE
B. Caudicle and viscid disk (gland) arising from the apex of the pollinia;
anther erect or incumbent, the filament short and slender, generally very
narrowly joined to the column, usually deciduous but if persisting soon
withering Division ACROTONAE.
C. Pollinia granular, soft; anther commonly persistent but withering;
inflorescence (normally) always terminal.
III. Tribe POLYCHONDREAE
C. Pollinia waxy or cartilaginous; anther commonly soon deciduous; inflores-
cence terminal or lateral.
IV. Tribe KEROSPHAEREAE
I. Tribe CYPRIPEDILOIDEAE (Subtribe CYPRIPEDILEAE. Two genera in Guate-
mala).
1. Petals oblong-elliptic, up to 6.5 cm. long; ovary 1-celled. . .1. Cypripedium.
1. Petals narrowly lanceolate, falcate, up to 75 cm. long; ovary 3-celled.
2. Phragmipedium.
II. Tribe OPHRYDOIDEAE (Subtribe HABENARIEAE. One genus in Guatemala).
3. Habenaria.
III. Tribe POLYCHONDREAE (Seven subtribes and fifteen genera in Guatemala).
1. Anther more or less prone, incumbent.
2. Stems not pseudobulbous, usually elongate.
3. Leaves not articulated, persistent; stems not cane-like (Subtribe
VANILLEAE).
4. Low erect terrestrial herbs; flowers 2 cm. or less long.
5. Leaves clasping the stem; plant with stolons and bearing fleshy
tuberoids 4. Triphora.
5. Leaves with lax vaginate petioles; plant with a creeping rhizome.
5. Psilochilus.
4. Tall scandent herbs, usually epiphytic or trailing in trees or shrubs,
without tuberous roots; flowers rather large, more than 2 cm. long.
6. Vanilla.
3. Leaves articulated, early deciduous; stems cane-like (Subtribe SOBRA-
LIEAE).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 15
6. Base of the lip strongly gibbous or subsaccate, ornamented with
two prominent calli; flowers relatively small 7. Elleanthus.
6. Base of the lip neither strongly gibbous nor subsaccate, without
prominent calli; flowers relatively large 8. Sobralia.
2. Stems pseudobulbous (at least at the base), very short (Subtribe BLE-
TILLEAE) 9. Crybe.
1. Anther more or less erect; rostellum erect or suberect.
7. Leaves not plicate-nerved, usually delicate; plant rarely not producing
leaves.
8. Roots fasciculate.
9. Lip uppermost in the flower, i.e. non-resupinate (Subtribe CRANI-
CHIDEAE).
10. Plant leafless, saprophytic, adorned with bifurcate hairs.
10. Wullschlaegelia.
10. Plant producing leaves, not saprophytic, hairs not bifurcate.
11. Petals and lip not inserted on the column.
12. Sepals connate at the base to form a cup 11. Prescottia.
12. Sepals free at the base, not forming a cup 12. Cranichis.
11. Petals and occasionally the lip inserted on the column.
13. Ponthieva.
9. Lip lowermost in the flower, i.e. resupinate (Subtribe SPIRANTHEAE).
14. Spiranthes.
8. Roots not fasciculate, arising singly from the nodes on the lower part
of the stem or rhizome (Subtribe PHYSUREAE).
13. Lip flat or subsaccate, neither produced into a prominent free sac
nor spur at the base 15. Goodyera.
13. Lip produced into a prominent free sac or spur at the base.
16. Erythrodes.
7. Leaves plicate-nerved, chartaceous or subcoriaceous (Subtribe TROPI-
DIEAE).
14. Lip broad at the base, concave, saccate or short-spurred; lateral
sepals forming a short mentum at the base; column short.
17. Tropidia.
14. Lip narrow at the base; sepals and petals narrow, more or less ad-
herent to form a tube; column elongate 18. Corymborchis.
IV. Tribe KEROSPHAEREAE (Twenty-six subtribes and seventy-one genera in
Guatemala).
A. Series a.. — ACRANTHAE. Inflorescence normally terminal or by abortion of
the terminal inflorescence axillary in the upper leaves, very rarely axillary.
1. Viscid disk (when present) arising from the apex of the pollinia, commonly
irregular, sometimes rudimentary or none.
2. Ovary manifestly articulated with the pedicel; pedicel always persistent;
stem slender, rigid, sometimes very abbreviated, usually unifoliate
(Subtribe PLEUROTHALLIDEAE).
3. Sepals all distinctly connate.
4. Sepals more or less rotate, not forming a narrow tube; petals and
lip commonly similar 19. Stelis.
4. Sepals forming a narrow tube at the base or campanulate; petals
and lip very dissimilar.
5. Inflorescence a raceme (in Guatemalan species); sepals with
relatively short free lobes 20. Physosiphon.
5. Inflorescence a single flower or rarely two flowers; sepals with
long free continuations 21. Masdevallia.
16 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
3. Sepals not distinctly connate, at least the dorsal sepal free or nearly so.
6. Inflorescence lateral, originating about the middle of the secondary
stem; lateral sepals with retrorse callosities above the middle.
22. Scaphosepalum.
6. Inflorescence terminal or rarely lateral at the base of the secondary
stem; lateral sepals without conspicuous retrorse calli.
7. Blade of the petals transverse, i.e. strongly bilobed, rarely simple
(or essentially so), from a very oblique base 23. Lepanthes.
7. Blade of the petals not transverse or strongly bilobed.
24. Pleurothallis.
2. Ovary not articulated with the pedicel; pedicel caducous with the flower;
stems slender or fleshy-thickened, 1- to several-flowered.
8. Pollinia always without appendages, i.e. no viscid disk or caudicles
present (Subtribe LIPARIDEAE).
9. Column very short; anther erect 25. Malaxis.
9. Column more or less elongate; anther incumbent 26. Liparis.
8. Pollinia appendaged, i.e. sometimes with a rudimentary viscid disk,
sometimes with a caudicle having a viscid apex.
10. Column entirely without a foot, more or less adnate to the base of
the lip (Subtribe LAELIEAE).
11. Pollinia two or four, with two in each cell of the anther when
four are present.
12. Lip gibbous or saccate at the base; flowers with an evident
mentum 28. Nageliella.
12. Lip neither gibbous nor saccate at the base.
13. Lip geniculate at its junction with the column . 27. Hexisea.
13. Lip not geniculate at its junction with the column.
14. Flowers usually not large and showy; stems either
pseudobulbous or epseudobulbous.
15. Lip without hollow horn-like processes, commonly
adnate to the column at base but not always so.
29. Epidendrum.
15. Lip with two large hollow horn-like processes, free or
nearly so 30. Diacrium.
14. Flowers large and showy; stems always pseudobulbous.
31. Cattleya.1
11. Pollinia eight, four in each cell of the anther.
16. Pollinia in four pairs, each pair joined by parallel caudicles;
anther operculate.
17. Lip from base gradually passing into the lamina; pollinia
nearly of one size, subequal 32. Laelia.
17. Lip abruptly broadened into the lamina; pollinia of two
sizes, unequal.
18. Lip very different from the sepals 33. Brassavola.
18. Lip similar to the sepals 35. Homalopetalum.
16. Pollinia a fascicle of eight, not paired, in one series; anther
not operculate 34. Meiracyllium.
10. Column produced into a distinct foot (though sometimes abbre-
viated); lip not adnate to the column or at most with margins
adnate to the base of the column-foot (Subtribe PONEREAE).
19. Pollinia four or six.
1 Cattleya and Epidendrum are technically indistinguishable and are scarcely
more than genera of convenience.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 17
20. Leaves not distichous on an elongate stem, terminal and
usually paired on pseudobulbs or short thickened stems;
pollinia four or six 36. Scaphy glottis.
20. Leaves distichous and scattered along an elongate stem; pol-
linia four.
21. Inflorescences 1-flowered, fasciculate.
22. Inflorescences lateral on the stem in the axils of leaves;
leaves not fleshy 37. Ponera.
22. Inflorescences terminal on the stem; leaves more or less
fleshy 38. Jacquiniella.
21. Inflorescences racemose.
23. Lip S-shaped at the base; inflorescence terminal only.
39. Isochilus.
23. Lip not S-shaped at the base; inflorescences terminal
and sometimes also lateral 37. Ponera.
19. Pollinia eight.
24. Leaf solitary, from the apex of a stout stem; inflorescences
subtended by a single large spat he 40. Arpophyllum.
24. Leaves two or more, from the apex of a pseudobulb; inflores-
cences not subtended by a single large spathe.
25. Column-foot much shorter than the column proper, very
inconspicuous; mentum obsolescent 41. Coelia.
25. Column-foot subequal in length to the column proper;
mentum conspicuous 42. Bothriochilus.
1. Viscid disk distinct, regular, with the margins well defined, arising from
the apex of the rostellum.
26. Column with a foot; plants with pseudobulbs or with swollen bases to
the stems; pollinia four or four joined into two pairs (Subtribe POLY-
STACHYEAE).
27. Lip without a spur 43. Polystachya.
27. Lip with a spur 44. Galeandra.
26. Column without a foot; plants without pseudobulbs; pollinia two
(Subtribe EPIDANTHEAE) 45. Epidanthus.
A. Series b.— PLEURANTHAE. Inflorescence lateral, arising near the base of
the pseudobulbs or in the axils of the leaves or of the sheaths of the lower
stems.
B. Subseries a. — SYMPODIALES. Plants forming a sympodium, i.e. with the
stems approximate or superimposed and manifestly terminated by com-
monly smaller apical leaves.
28. Pollinia without a stipe; viscid disk (if present) commonly rudimentary
or the apex of the caudicle glutinous.
29. Rhizome shortened or coralloid, bulbous, annulate, with short
internodes; pseudobulbs usually none; leaves plicate or entirely lack-
ing (in the saprophytic genera); plants terrestrial.
30. Plants saprophytic, without true leaves; rhizome coralloid; stems
elongate (Subtribe CORALLORHIZEAE).
31. Lip with 5 to 7 longitudinal lamellae on the disk; pollinia
eight 46. Hexalectris.
31. Lip with 2 lamellae at most; pollinia four. . . .47. Corallorrhiza.
30. Plants not saprophytic, with green leaves; roots not coralloid;
stems shortened or pseudobulbous (Subtribe PHAJEAE).
32. Lip with a spur 48. Calanthe.
32. Lip without a spur 49. Bletia.
29. Rhizome more or less elongate; stems pseudobulbous, 1- or several-
leaved; leaves flat or plicate; plants epiphytic.
18 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
33. Pseudobulbs homoblastic (i.e. of several nodes, only the terminal
one of which bears well-developed leaves), fusiform, several-
leaved; leaves plicate, rather thin; flowers relatively large (Sub-
tribe CHYSIEAE) 50. Chysis.
33. Pseudobulbs heteroblastic (i.e. of a single node with one or two
terminal leaves), usually small; leaves coriaceous or fleshy, not
plicate; flowers relatively small (Subtribe BULBOPHYLLEAE).
51. Bulbophyllum.
28. Pollinia with a prominent stipe (though sometimes short); viscid disk
distinct.
34. Pollinia of a waxy texture, easily compressed or crushed (Subtribe
CYRTOPODIEAE).
35. Lip spurred or with a strongly saccate base 52. Eulophia.
35. Lip neither spurred nor with a saccate base.
36. Lip prominently 3-lobed 53. Cyrtopodium.
36. Lip simple or at most crenulate 54. Govenia.
34. Pollinia of a cartilaginous texture, i.e. neither easily compressed
nor crushed.
37. Leaves convolutive in vernation.
38. Pseudobulbs large, fusiform, homoblastic, several-leaved (Sub-
tribe CATASETEAE).
39. Column twisted; flowers perfect (monomorphic or poly-
morphic) 55. Mormodes.
39. Column not twisted; flowers rarely perfect (dimorphic or
trimorphic).
40. Column thick, straight, usually with two retrorse antennae
in male flowers 56. Catasetum.
40. Column slender, curved or arcuate, without retrorse
antennae 57. Cycnoches.
38. Pseudobulbs short, heteroblastic, 1- to few-leaved.
41. Lip continuous with the base of the column or solidly attached
to the short column-foot, not articulated, more or less promi-
nently divided into a hypochile and epichile (Subtribe
GONGOREAE).
42. Petals conspicuously narrower than the sepals, usually
inserted near or on the very base of the column.
43. Epichile not saccate 62. Gongora.
43. Epichile deeply saccate 63. Coryanthes.
42. Petals not conspicuously narrower than the sepals.
44. Epichile saccate 63. Coryanthes.
44. Epichile not saccate.
45. Lateral sepals strongly reflexed in anthesis.
61. Stanhopea.
45. Lateral sepals not strongly reflexed in anthesis.
46. Pseudobulb with a solitary leaf 59. Houlletia.
46. Pseudobulb with two or more leaves.
47. Lip with a slender claw; lateral lobes of lip oblong-
falcate, acute 60. Paphinia.
47. Lip without a slender claw; lateral lobes of lip
subquadrate, truncate 58. Lacaena.
41. Lip articulated with the apex of the column-foot.
48. Inflorescence basal, i.e. arising at the base of the pseudo-
bulb; lip usually provided with a depressed longitudinal
callus (Subtribe LYCASTEAE).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 19
49. Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered raceme.
64. Xylobium.
49. Inflorescence consisting of a single flower. . .65. Lycaste.
48. Inflorescence suprabasal, i.e. in the axils of the lower (some-
times leaf -bearing) sheaths; lip usually provided with a
transverse callus or a transverse flabellate crest (Sub-
tribe ZYGOPETALEAE) 66. Zygopetalum.
37. Leaves duplicative in vernation.
50. Column commonly produced into a foot and forming a mentum
with the lateral sepals; rostellum not produced, emarginate.
51. Callus of the lip transverse, commonly flabellate; inflorescence
suprabasal, i.e. in the axils of the lower (often leaf-bearing)
sheaths; pseudobulbs reduced or rudimentary (Subtribe
HUNTLEYEAE) 67. Chondrorhyncha.
51. Callus of the lip longitudinal, often depressed or rarely none;
inflorescence borne at the base of the pseudobulb; pseudobulbs
usually well developed and often with elongate stems (Sub-
tribe MAXILLARIEAE).
52. Sepals forming a short tube at the base. .70. Trigonidium.
52. Sepals not forming a tube at the base.
53. Viscid disk lunate; column almost footless; peduncle
commonly as long as or longer than the leaves.
69. Mormolyca.
53. Viscid disk rounded; column with a distinct foot;
peduncle usually much shorter than the leaves.
68. Maxillaria.
50. Column always without a foot; rostellum produced, commonly
bifid, sometimes subulate and acute.
54. Anther incumbent; rostellum porrect or deflexed, sometimes
with the apex ascending.
55. Base of the lip deeply saccate or spurred, or the lateral
sepals connate and saccate or spurred at the base.
56. Lateral sepals free; base of the lip deeply saccate or form-
ing a single spur; inflorescence 1- or 2-flowered (Sub-
tribe TRICHOCENTREAE) 71. Trichocentrum.
56. Lateral sepals connate, saccate or spurred at the base;
base of the lip neither deeply saccate nor forming a single
spur; inflorescence racemose or paniculate (Subtribe
COMPARETTIEAE) .
57. Lip with a pair of flattened porrect lamellate calli near
the apex 73. Scelochilus.
57. Lip without lamellate calli near the apex.
58. Lip with two filiform appendages at the base.
74. Comparettia.
58. Lip without filiform appendages at the base.
72. lonopsis.
55. Base of the lip neither saccate nor spurred; lateral sepals
free or connate, if connate neither spurred nor saccate at
the base (Subtribe ONCIDIEAE).
59. Pollinia two.
60. Leaves articulated, i.e. deciduous with age; plants with
pseudobulbs; inflorescence from the base of the pseudo-
bulb.
61. Base of the lip enfolding the column and shortly
adnate to it at its base (Subtribe TRICHOPILIEAE).
75. Trichopilia.
20 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
61. Base of the lip not enfolding the column.
62. Sepals and petals long-caudate; column not winged
at the apex 78. Brassia.
62. Sepals and petals not long-caudate (or if so the
column is winged or auriculate); column winged
or wingless at apex.
63. Lip inserted on the column near the middle.
77. Aspasia.
63. Lip not inserted on the column near the middle.
64. Lateral sepals entirely united. 79. Palumbina.
64. Lateral sepals not entirely united, at most
only partly united.
65. Anther produced in front into a membra-
naceous appendage longer than (rarely
equaling) the locule 81. Leochilus.
65. Anther not produced in front into a mem-
branaceous appendage longer than the
locule.
66. Lip long-unguiculate. .82. Sigmatostalix.
66. Lip not long-unguiculate.
67. Basal part of lip erect and more or
less parallel to the column; calli of the
lip usually two, parallel and not
joined; column usually not winged.
76. Odontoglossum.
67. Basal part of lip spreading (at almost
a right angle) from the column; calli
on the lip various; column usually
winged at the apex 80. Oncidium.
60. Leaves not articulated, i.e. marcescent, equitant,
closely approximate; stems elongate and pseudo-
bulbose (Subtribe LOCKHARTIEAE) 83. Lockhartia.
59. Pollinia four (Subtribe ORNITHOCEPHALEAE).
84. Ornithocephalus.
54. Anther erect on the back of the column or on the apex of
the column under the clinandrium; rostellum erect (Sub-
tribe NOTYLIEAE).
68. Lip simple, not lobed 85. Notylia.
68. Lip 3- or 4-lobed.
69. Lip 4-lobed, the lateral lobes linear to narrowly lanceo-
f late 86. Cryptarrhena.
69. Lip 3-lpbed, the lateral lobes suborbicular-ovate to
semiorbicular 87. Macradenia.
B. Subseries b. — MONOPODIALES. Plants forming a monopodium, i.e. the
stems with unlimited growth.
70. Inflorescence 1-flowered; lip without a spur; column often with an
infrastigmatic ligule (Subtribe DICHAEEAE) 88. Dichaea.
70. Inflorescence racemose, several- to many-flowered; lip with a basal
spur; column always without an infrastigmatic ligule (Subtribe
SARCANTHEAE) 89. Campylocentrum.
1. CYPRIPEDIUM L.
Terrestrial herbs with fibrous roots rising from a short rootstock. Leaves
cauline, plicate. Flowers showy, subtended by foliaceous bracts. Sepals spread-
FIG. 1. Cypripedium irapeanum. Flowering plant (X 2A). Drawn by D. E.
Tibbitts.
21
22 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
ing, free or with the lateral pair partially or wholly united. Petals spreading,
free, usually smaller than the sepals. Lip sessile, strongly inflated, pouch-shaped.
Column declined, with two laterally placed fertile stamens each bearing a 2-celled
anther and a dorsally placed sterile petaloid thick staminode; pollen granular.
Ovary 1-celled.
This genus consists of about fifty species that are widespread in
boreal, temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia and America.
They are considered to be the most primitive orchids extant and
represent what appears to be a section isolated from the rest of the
family, without any intermediate or connecting genera surviving
today.
Cypripedium irapeanum Llave & Lex. Nov. Veg. Descr.
(Orch. Opusc.) 2: 10. 1825. Figure!.
On open grassy hillsides or in loamy soil in pine-oak forests on
mountain slopes, up to 3,200 meters alt. Mexico and Guatemala.
Often common locally.
Plant stout, densely pilose throughout, 3.5-10.5 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves
suborbicular-ovate to narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 3-13 cm. long,
2-8.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a solitary flower or few-flowered raceme (as many
as six flowers). Floral bracts similar to but somewhat smaller than the leaves.
Flowers bright yellow, with strongly arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are 3-5 cm.
long and densely covered with brownish glandular pubescence. Perianth parts
more or less pubescent. Sepals often suffused or striped with pale green; dorsal
sepal broadly elliptic, acute or submucronate, 3-6 cm. long, 1.8-3.5 cm. wide;
lateral sepals connate; lamina oblong-elliptic, emarginate or subacute, 3-5 cm.
long, 2-3 cm. wide. Petals oblong-elliptic, antrorsely curved, 3-6.5 cm. long, 2.7-3
cm. wide. Lip obovoid, strongly saccate, interior surface at base densely tomentose
and with bright red spots, exterior surface glabrous, 4-6 cm. long, 3-3.5 cm.
wide at the widest point. Column about 2 cm. long; staminode ovate, acuminate,
subtrilobed, about 1.2 cm. long.
Although C. irapeanum is not common in collections, collectors'
notes often state that it occurs abundantly where it grows naturally.
It is a showy species and rivals in beauty the North American
C. reginae Walt., which it resembles. It is one of the two species of
diandrous orchids found in Guatemala, and here represents the
southernmost extension of the genus in the western hemisphere.
Guatemala: Near San Rafael, about 10 miles from Guatemala,
Margaret Ward Lewis 151. — Huehuetenango: Along Rio Selegua,
opposite San Sebastian H., Steyermark 50491. Above La Libertad,
on Cerro Pueblo Viejo, "common here by the thousands of plants,"
Steyermark 50973. — Sacatepe*quez : Volcan de Agua, Hartweg (fide
Hemsley). San Luis Pastores, Johnston 1645. — Solola: Volcan San
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 23
Pedro, north-facing slopes toward Lago de Atitlan, above village
of San Pedro, Steyermark 47181. "Guatemala," Skinner.
2. PHRAGMIPEDIUM Rolfe
Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs with fibrous roots. Leaves coriaceous, ligulate,
conduplicate, sulcate. Flowers large, showy in few- to many-flowered racemes or
panicles. Sepals spreading, with the dorsal one free and the lateral ones entirely
united. Petals free, spreading, similar to the sepals or long-caudate (in our species).
Lip sessile, inflated, calceolate. Column short, stout, with two laterally placed
fertile stamens each bearing a 2-celled anther and a dorsally placed sterile, petaloid
staminode; pollen granular. Ovary 3-celled.
There are in this genus in tropical America about a dozen species,
which are mainly confined to South America. The elongated petals
are characteristic.
Phragmipedium caudatum (Lindl.) Rolfe, Orch. Rev. 4: 332.
1896. Cypripedium caudatum Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 531. 1840.
Figure 2.
Epiphytic on trees or in humus on open or shaded rocks, up to
2,000 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala and Panama; widespread in
northern South America.
Plant rather stout, erect or ascending, 4-5 dm. tall. Stem scapose, densely
and finely pilose, supporting 2-4 flowers, provided about the middle with a con-
duplicate foliaceous bract that is about 8 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. Leaves radical,
spreading, distichous, ligulate, obtuse to subacute, dorsally sulcate, leathery and
glossy, glabrous, 10-35 cm. long, 2-4 cm. wide. Floral bracts conduplicate,
elliptic, obtuse to broadly rounded at the apex, 4-9.5 cm. long, 3-4.5 cm. wide
when spread out. Flowers variously colored, usually yellow-green flushed with
reddish brown or purple, with stout arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are 12-19 cm.
long and finely pilose. Sepals pubescent on the outer surface, conspicuously
nerved, undulate- wavy along the margins; dorsal sepal lanceolate, long-acuminate
with an obtuse tip, arched over the lip, 9-16 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide near the base;
lateral sepals united into a broadly lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate lamina that is
long-acuminate at the apex and concave below the middle, 8-13 cm. long, 3-4.5
cm. wide. Petals narrowly lanceolate and falcate at the base, extended into ex-
tremely long pendent caudae which are up to 75 cm. long (rarely only a few cm.
in length), about 1 cm. wide near the base, pubescent especially near the tip with
brown articulated hairs, with a dense tuft of hairs on the inner surface at the base.
Lip calceolate, inflated, ellipsoid, open above with the anterior margins of the
orifice induplicate and pubescent within, puberulent on the outer surface, usually
greenish with a reddish brown reticulation, purple-spotted on the interior surface,
5-6.5 cm. long. Staminode flat, transversely triangular with the angles obtuse,
purplish, more or less pubescent along the margins, about 1 cm. long, 1.2-1.6 cm.
wide. Capsule cylindrical, about 10 cm. long and 8 mm. in diameter.
24 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This species is characterized by having extremely long petals.
When the flower-buds first open the petals are about the length of
the sepals. However, after the flower is completely opened, the
petals continue growth until they attain a length of from 30 to 75 cm.
Alta Verapaz: Rare on trees in Pansamala, May, 1887, Tiirckheim
1248. Xuchaneb (cultivated in garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H.
in Guatemala City), Steyermark 46392. — Huehuetenango : Vicinity
of Maxbal, about 17 miles north of Barillas, Sierra de los Cuchuma-
tanes, Steyermark 48522.- — Guatemala: "The plant was purchased in
Guatemala City by Mrs. [W. P.] Cockerell. ... It was presumably
collected in the mts. of Guatemala by an Indian. T. D. A. Cockerell,
June 1918." Somewhere between San Agustin A. and Salama, '
specimen purchased in Coban, Margaret Ward Lewis 127.
3. HABENARIA Willd.
Terrestrial or semiaquatic herbs with fleshy or tuberous roots; tuberoids ovoid
or fusiform-elongate. Plants erect, simple; stem with cauline or basal leaves or
both, rarely with the leaves reduced to bracts. Flowers in showy or inconspicuous
racemes, rarely solitary. Sepals free or somewhat coherent at the base, subequal;
lateral sepals spreading or deflexed; dorsal sepal erect or forming a hood over the
column. Petals free, usually connivent with the dorsal sepal, entire or bifid,
polymorphic. Lip usually slightly adnate to the column, entire, toothed, or
tripartite, at the base produced into a spur. Column short; stigmas with or with-
out papillose processes; anther one, two-celled, persistent; pollen granular.
This is a polymorphic genus of approximately five hundred species
that are natives mainly of the warmer regions of the world. They
are found chiefly in woodlands, savannas, meadows and swamps,
where they usually occur in moderately to strongly acid soils.
1. Petals entire or merely toothed at the base; lip entire, toothed on each side
at the base or three-lobed.
2. Lip deeply three-lobed; leaves basal H. distans var. jamaicensis.
2. Lip not deeply three-lobed; leaves cauline.
3. Stigmatic processes wanting; lip entire H. limosa.
3. Stigmatic processes well developed, conspicuous; lip entire, toothed or
sharply angled on each side at the base.
4. Ovary conspicuously winged, with the wings minutely papillose on the
edges H. alata.
4. Ovary not conspicuously winged.
5. Lip rounded or reduced to a narrow claw at the base; spur less than
1.5 cm. long H. eustachya.
5. Lip toothed or sharply angled on each side at the base; spur more
than 1.5 cm. long.
6. Petals rotundate-quadrate to suborbicular, obtuse . . H. strictissima.
6. Petals subquadrate to oblong-quadrate, usually with the apex more
or less trilobulate H. strictissima var. odontopetala.
FIG. 2. Phragmipedium caudatum. Flowering plant (X M)- Drawn by
D. E. Tibbitts.
25
26 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
1. Petals bifid; lip always three-lobed.
7. Flowers one to three H. pauciflora.
7. Flowers more than three.
8. Leaves basal H. distans.
8. Leaves not essentially basal.
9. Spur more than 3.5 cm. long.
10. Leaves mainly linear, coarse and thick when dry, more or less
equitant; semiaquatic H. bractescens.
10. Leaves ovate to oblong-lanceolate, thin and papery when dry, not
equitant; non-aquatic H. quinqueseta.
9. Spur less than 3.5 cm. long.
11. Leaf -sheaths maculate; leaf -margins undulate-scarious.
H. monorrhiza.
11. Leaf -sheaths not maculate; leaf -margins not undulate-scarious.
12. Mid-nerve of the sepals, lobes of the lip, and anterior lobes of the
petals papillose H. crassicornis.
12. Sepals, lip and petals smooth.
13. Flowers white; mid-lobe of lip conspicuously wider than the
lateral lobes, subequal in length H. clypeata.
13. Flowers green or yellowish green; mid-lobe of lip not con-
spicuously wider than the lateral lobes, subequal or unequal in
length.
14. Lobes of the lip subequal, pendent; semiaquatic. . .H. repens.
14. Lobes of the lip unequal (rarely subequal) in length; lateral
lobes mostly spreading and recurved; not aquatic.
15. Leaves small, scattered along the stem; spur less than
2 cm. long H. entomantha.
15. Leaves comparatively large, mostly near the middle of the
stem; spur more than 2 cm. long H. novemfida.
Habenaria alata Hook. Exot. Fl. 3: t. 169. 1826. Figure 3.
Rather common on grassy hillsides and brushy slopes, in open
meadows and pastures, and moist soil in open pine-oak forests, up
to 1,900 meters alt. Widespread in the West Indies and Mexico,
through Central America to South America.
Plant slender, glabrous, 1.7-7 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves narrowly lanceo-
late, acuminate, 6-14 cm. long, up to 2 cm. wide. Raceme 6-20 cm. long, 2.5-4.5
cm. in diameter. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, 2-3.5
cm. long, about 6 mm. wide near the base. Flowers pale green, with broadly
winged pedicellate ovaries that are about 1.5 cm. long. Sepals connivent at first,
then spreading, with minutely papillose margins. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate to
suborbicular, concave, rarely apiculate, the median nerve dorsally carinate, 6-10
mm. long, 5-7 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely elliptic-lanceolate,
apiculate and recurved at the apex, 7-10.5 mm. long, 3.5-4.5 mm. wide. Petals
thick, opaque, lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, with a small lobe at the base on
the anterior margin, 5.5-11 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide. Lip thick, linear-lanceo-
late, with a tooth on each side near the base (occasionally with the basal triangular
teeth inconspicuous or obsolete), directed forward, 5.5-8 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide. Spur recurved, clavate, 9-13 mm. long. Column about 2.5 mm. long.
Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, prominently winged, about 1.5 cm. long.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
27
FIG. 3. Habenaria alata. 1, flower, side view (about X 2); 2, flower, with
lateral sepals spread apart, front-side view (about X 2); 3, lip, spur, and column,
front-side view (about X 4); 4, section from margin of sepal, showing papillose
character (much enlarged); 5, petal (about X 4). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
This is a polymorphic species. The lip commonly has a triangular
protuberance on each side near the base. Sometimes these protuber-
ances are so strongly developed that they give to the lip a three-
lobed appearance, but frequently they are so much reduced that they
become inconspicuous and obsolete.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1501. — Chimaltenango: Be-
tween Chimaltenango and San Martin Jilotepeque, Standley 80868.
28 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Near Finca La Alameda, near Chimaltenango, Standley 59143;
79764. Near Rio Pixcaya, between Chimaltenango and San Martin
Jilotepeque, Standley 64482.- — Guatemala: Guatemala, Jesus Morales
1137. — Jutiapa: Between Agua Blanca and Amatillo, Steyermark
30388. — Sacatepe*quez: Near Antigua, Standley 58547. — Santa Rosa:
San Juan Utopa, Heyde & Lux 6247. Cerro Redondo, Steyermark
52213. — Zacapa: Lower slopes of Sierra de las Minas, above Rio
Hondo, Steyermark 29538. Along Rio Lima, Sierra de las Minas,
between Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca Alejandria,
Steyermark 29631. From Dona Edna Sarg de Rodriguez, Finca
San Jose* Buena Vista, Margaret Ward Lewis 211.
Habenaria bractescens Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PL 308.
1835. H. Pringlei Robinson, Proc. Am. Acad. 27: 184. 1892.
Figure 4.
Uncommon in bogs, marshes and on the border of lakes, semi-
aquatic, up to 1,000 meters alt. Widespread and rather common,
generally, from Mexico through Central and South America to
Argentina.
Plant large, stout, glabrous, 4.5-12 dm. tall; stem leafy. Roots long, slender,
fibrous, with the central one tuberous. Leaves linear to narrowly lanceolate,
acuminate, conduplicate and keeled, 9-26 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm. wide. Raceme
laxly few-flowered, 8-23 cm. long, 6-9 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts ovate-
lanceolate, acuminate, 3.5-6 cm. long, up to 1.7 cm. wide near the base. Flowers
large, white and pale green, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 4-6.5 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal elliptic, acute or apiculate and recurved at the apex, scarcely
concave, 1.3-2.1 cm. long, 8-14 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-elliptic,
acute to acuminate, 1.4-2.4 cm. long, 6.5-10 mm. wide. Petals bipartite; posterior
lobe linear-lanceolate, falcate, 1.2-2.2 cm. long, about 2 mm. wide; anterior lobe
filiform, 1.2-2.5 cm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Lip tripartite to within 3-4 mm.
of the base; mid-lobe narrowly linear, subacute, 1.5-2.2 cm. long, about 2 mm.
wide; lateral lobes filiform, 1.6-2 cm. long. Spur slender, 5-15 cm. long. Capsule
obliquely cylindrical, prominently ribbed, about 2.5 cm. long.
The extraordinarily large flowers, being white, make this species
one of the most showy in the genus. It is easily distinguished from
the closely related H. quinqueseta by its narrower leaves.
Escuintla: 2 km. north of San Jose", Stork & Horton 8832. — Izabal:
Boca del Rio Polochic, Smith 1583. — Pete*n: Lake Zotz, Lundell
3324. — Solola: Around lake at Finca Moca, slopes of Volcan Atitlan,
Steyermark 47881. Jocolo, marshy edge of lake, Johnson 1001.
Habenaria clypeata Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PL 311. 1835.
H. lactiflora A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se"r. 3, 3: 28. 1845. H.
FIG. 4. Habenaria bractescens (H. Pringlei). 1, flower, side view (X 1);
2, lip (about X 2); 3, petal (about X 2). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
29
30 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
spithamaea Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 195. 1918 (type: Guatemala,
in pinetis inter Casillas et Laguna de Ayarza, July, 1870, Bernoulli
& Cario 551). Figure 5.
In dry rocky pine-oak scrub forests, also in boggy ground, on
grassy slopes, pastures, loamy soil of ridges and sandy, limy soil,
up to 2,500 meters alt. Rather rare in Mexico, Guatemala, Hon-
duras, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant small, slender, glabrous, with a globose tuber attached to the base of
the stem, 1.1-5.3 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves small, oblong-elliptic to narrowly
lanceolate, acute, acuminate or cuspidate, equitant, mostly strongly conduplicate,
ensiform, 3.5-7 cm. long, 0.8-3 cm. wide. Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered
raceme, 4-10 cm. long, 3-4 cm. in diameter. Bracts large, ovate-lanceolate,
acuminate, cucullate and clasping the pedicellate ovary, 1.5-3 cm. long. Flowers
white, fragrant of hyacinth, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2 cm. long.
Dorsal sepal elliptic, strongly concave-galeate, 9-10 mm. long, 6-7 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-elliptic, obtuse or subacute, 8-9 mm. long, 3-4.5
mm. wide. Petals bipartite; posterior lobe linear-oblong, falcate, connivent with
the dorsal sepal, 6-10 mm. long, 1.8-3 mm. wide; anterior lobe filiform, recurved,
11-12.5 mm. long. Lip tripartite to the base or to within 2.5-3 mm. from the base;
mid-lobe linear, obtuse, 6.5-12 mm. long, 1-2.5 mm. wide; lateral lobes filiform,
8-15 mm. long. Spur stout, clavate, somewhat recurved, 1.5-2.5 cm. long.
Column about 3 mm. long.
The lateral segments of the lip are basal or sometimes, together
with the mid-lobe, separated from the base of the lip by a well-
developed claw and are either shorter than or about equal to the
mid-lobe.
Huehuetenango: Between Chanquejelve" and Ixcacao, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51804. — Jalapa: Between Miramundo
and summit of Montana Miramundo, between Jalapa and Mata-
quescuintla, Steyermark 32697. — Santa Rosa: Cerro Gordo, 1,100
meters, Heyde & Lux 3858. Between Casillas and Laguna de
Ayarza, Bernoulli 706 (fide W. B. Hemsley). — Zacapa: Sierra de
las Minas, between Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca
Alexandria, Steyermark 29639.
Habenaria crassicornis Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 311. 1835.
Figure 5.
FIG. 5. Habenaria clypeata: Flower (about X 2). H. crassicornis: Flowering
plant (XI); individual flower (about X 2). H. eustachya: Flower (about X 2).
H. novemfida: Flower (about X 2). H. strictissima var. odontopetala (H.
odontopetala) : Flower (about X 2). H. repens: Two flowers (front and side views;
about X 2). H. setifera: Plant (X 1); individual flower (about X IJlj); not found
in Guatemala. Drawn by Blanche Ames.
HABENARIA.
31
32 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Uncommon in pine-oak woods, moist ravines, open grassy fields,
and mountain woods, up to 2,700 meters alt. Mexico, Guatemala
and Honduras.
Plant slender, glandular-puberulent above, with a small globose tuber attached
to the base of the stem, 1.2-3.8 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves small, ovate to lanceo-
late, acute or acuminate, equitant, keeled, 2-5 cm. long, 0.7-2.2 cm. wide. In-
florescence a very loose few-flowered raceme, 5-11 cm. long, 3-4.5 cm. in diameter.
Bracts broadly ovate, acuminate, clasping, 1.2-2.2 cm. long. Flowers yellowish
green and white, with slender, pedicellate ovaries that are 2-2.5 cm. long. Sepals
carinate along the mid-vein. Dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, apiculate, concave,
7-8.5 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, acute
or acuminate (often apiculate, recurved at the apex), 8-11 mm. long, 4-4.5 mm.
wide. Petals bipartite; posterior lobe narrowly linear, falcate, 8.5-10 mm. long;
anterior lobe filiform, setaceous, divergent and recurved, 13-17 mm. long. Lip
tripartite to within 2-3 mm. of the base; mid-lobe filiform, 10-13.5 mm. long;
lateral lobes filiform, setaceous, 13-16 mm. long. Spur thick, semi-oblong at the
apex, ascending from a very slender basal portion, 1.5-2.1 (rarely as much as
2.8) cm. long. Column 2.5-3.5 mm. long. Capsule obliquely cylindrical, ribbed,
about 1.5 cm. long.
This species is distinguished from a nearly related species, namely
H. entomantha, by the minutely glandular puberulence of the
various parts of the flower and often of the entire inflorescence.
The ovary is also glandular along the ribs.
Chimaltenango: Finca Alameda, J. R. Johnston 155. — Huehue-
tenango: Terrestrial in dry scrubby woods of oak, pine and arbutus,
Skutch 1635. — Jalapa: Cerro Alcoba, just east of Jalapa, Steyermark
32510.— Santa Rosa: Cerro Gordo, Heyde & Lux 3858b.
Habenaria distans Griseb. Cat. PI. Cub. 270. 1866. H. Tuerck-
heimii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 129. 1906 (type: Guatemala, in
Felsspalten bei Cubilgiiitz, August, 1903, H. von Turckheim 766).
Figure 6.
Uncommon in shady damp forests, on moist grassy slopes, up
to 1,800 meters alt. Ranging widely from Florida and Mexico to
Guatemala and Costa Rica, and throughout the West Indies.
Plant slender, glabrous, 1.4-3.3 dm. tall; stem clothed with bracteal leaves.
Leaves 2-6, essentially basal, oblong-elliptic (rarely ovate or obovate), acute,
abruptly diminishing into bracts above, 6-15 cm. long, 2-5 cm. wide. Inflorescence
a loose raceme composed of 5-21 scattered flowers, 4-13 cm. long. Floral bracts
FIG. 6. Habenaria distans. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, front view (X
3, petal (X 3); 4, pollen mass (highly magnified). Original drawing by Blanche
Ames; redrawn by G. W. Dillon.
33
34 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 1-2 cm. long. Flowers greenish, with slender
pedicellate ovaries that are 1-1.5 cm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic, concave,
5-8 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat deflexed, curved upward
toward the apex, obliquely oval to ovate-oblong, acute, 5-8 mm. long, 2-3 mm.
wide. Petals bipartite, the two lobes about equal in length, 6-8 mm. long; posterior
lobe suberect, narrowly linear, falcate, about 1 mm. wide; anterior lobe filiform,
usually slightly longer than the posterior lobe. Lip tripartite; mid-lobe narrowly
linear, pendent, 7-10 mm. long; lateral lobes filiform, spreading, curved upward,
8-11 mm. long. Spur gradually clavate at the apex, 1.2-1.5 cm. long. Capsule
ellipsoid, strongly ribbed, about 1.2 cm. long.
Habenaria distans is distinctive in that its leaves are essentially
basal or in a basal rosette. This species is the only Guatemalan
Habenaria that has this character.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Tilrckheim 8308; 8588 (isotype of
H. Tuerckheimii Schltr.). — Chiquimula: Along Rio Taco, between
Chiquimula and Montana Barriol, 3-15 miles northwest of Chiqui-
mula, Steyermark 30633 (probably). — Huehuetenango: Trail between
Santa Ana Huista and Nenton, via hamaca over Rio Azul and "La
Laguna," Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51379.
Habenaria distans Griseb. var. jamaicensis (Fawc. & Rendle)
Cogn. in Urban Symb. Antill. 6: 300. 1909. Habenaria jamaicensis
Fawc. & Rendle in Journ. Bot. 47: 126. 1909.
Among mosses on rocky or clayey banks in shade, in cloud forests,
up to 1,800 meters alt. Widespread but rare in Mexico, Guatemala,
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Haiti and Santo Domingo.
Variety jamaicensis is identical in habit with the typical form. However, the
flowers are usually fewer and smaller and the petals are entire or develop only a
short anterior lobe. As originally described, the petals of H. jamaicensis possessed
short, inconspicuous anterior lobes. However, in the Guatemalan and Mexican
material seen the petals are entire. It seems best, nevertheless, to treat all of
these plants as var. jamaicensis.
Chiquimula: Upper slopes of Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of
El Barriol, Steyermark 30799.
Habenaria entomantha (Llave & Lex.) Lindl. Gen. & Sp.
Orch. PI. 311. 1835. Orchis entomantha Llave & Lex. Nov. Veg.
Descr. (Orch. Opusc.) 2: 8. 1825. Habenaria tetranema Schltr. Beih.
Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 373. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Camino
de Sapote, locis herbidis, July, 1866, G. Bernoulli 325).
Rather common in moist soil of mixed pine-hardwood forests,
damp soil of grassy hillsides, fields, in earth pockets of lava flow,
edges of lakes and sedge bogs, up to 3,300 meters alt. Widespread
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 35
in Mexico, Guatemala, British Honduras, and Honduras; reported
from Venezuela.
Plant slender, with a small ovoid tuber attached to the base of the stem,
1.3-4.5 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves small, ovate, linear-oblong to ovate-lanceo-
late, subacute to acuminate, equitant, often reduced to tubular-clasping bracteal
leaves, silvery beneath, 1.5-5 cm. long, 0.8-2.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a loose
or dense cylindrical raceme of many or few flowers, 3.5-16 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm.
in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 1.3-2.5 cm. long. Flowers green or
greenish yellow, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 0.8-1.7 cm. long. Sepals
carinate along the mid-vein. Dorsal sepal suborbicular-ovate to broadly elliptic,
obtuse to acute, occasionally apiculate and recurved at the apex, 6-7 mm. long,
3.5-5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute
and strongly recurved at the apex, 6-7 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide. Petals bipartite;
posterior lobe narrowly linear, falcate, 5.5-6 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; anterior
lobe filiform, recurved, 7-10.5 mm. long. Lip tripartite to the base; mid-lobe
linear-filiform, 5.5-12 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; lateral lobes filiform, 9-13
mm. long. Spur fusiform-clavate, recurved, 0.9-1.7 cm. long. Column about 2 mm.
long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, about 1.3 cm. long.
Habenaria entomantha is a highly variable and polymorphic
species. The small flowers and diminished equitant leaves of this
plant are more delicate and graceful than the robust appearance and
spreading leaves of H. novemfida, with which it is sometimes confused.
This orchid is commonly called "jasmin de monte."
Alta Verapaz: Santa Cruz, Turckheim 1393. — Chimaltenango:
Finca Alameda, J. R. Johnston 920. Near Tecpam, Skutch 519.—
El Progreso: Between Calera and summit of Volcan Siglo, Steyermark
43054 (?). — Huehuetenango: Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso Ixta-
huacan, Steyermark 50619a. Cerro Negro, 2 miles east of Las Palmas,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51727. Above Democracia
on trail towards Jutal, Steyermark 51059. About Laguna de Ocubila,
east of Huehuetenango, Standley 82624. Cerro Victoria, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, near Barillas, Steyermark 49759. Between San
Mateo Ixtatan and Santa Eulalia, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 49901. — Quiche": Jose Ignacio Aguilar 1534. — Solola:
Volcan Santa Clara, Steyermark 46985.
Habenaria eustachya Reichb. f. Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesell. 3:
274. 1885. Figure 5.
Uncommon in rich hillside woods, soggy or wet ground in dense
forests and open woods, up to 800 meters alt. West Indies, Mexico,
Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant rather stout, 2-10.5 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves narrowly elliptic to
lanceolate, obtuse, acute to acuminate, 5-20 cm. long, 2-4 cm. wide. Inflorescence
a loosely or densely flowered, cylindrical raceme, 6-42 cm. long, 3-3.5 cm. in diam-
36 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
eter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 1.3-2.5 cm. long. Flowers green or yellowish
green, with stout pedicellate ovaries that are 1.1-1.8 cm. long. Dorsal sepal
suborbicular, deeply concave-galeate, 4-5 mm. long, about 4 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals obliquely oblong-elliptic, obtuse to broadly rounded, strongly deflexed,
spreading, 6-7 mm. long, about 3.5 mm. wide. Petals somewhat obliquely oblong-
quadrate, with obtuse angles, rounded or sinuately 2-3 toothed at the apex, with
a protuberance at the base on the anterior margin, 4-5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm.
wide. Lip entire, linear-oblong, subacute, deflexed, rounded or reduced to a narrow
claw at the base, 5-8 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Spur slender, slightly thickened
toward the apex, 10-12 mm. long. Capsule obliquely cylindrical-fusiform, 11-13
mm. long, about 4.5 mm. in diameter.
This species approaches H. strictissima very closely. It differs
from H. strictissima in that the lip is not lobed or toothed at the
base and the spur is much shorter, being constantly between 10 and
12 mm. in length.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 8298.
Habenaria limosa (Lindl.) Hemsl. in Godm. & Salvin, Biol.
Centr.-Am. 3: 305. 1884. Platanthera limosa Lindl. Ann. Nat. Hist.
4: 381. 1840. P. guatemalensis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 193.
1918 (type: Guatemala, locis graminosis, Volcan de Sta. Maria,
September, 1876, Bernoulli & Cario). Figure 7.
Rather frequent in mossy ground in open woods, along cold
brooks and in open sedge marshes at high elevations, up to 3,700
meters alt. Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, south through
Mexico to Guatemala.
Plant slender or stout, glabrous throughout, 3-16.5 dm. tall; stem leafy,
provided at the base with tubular sheaths. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, silvery
green, suberect, 9-28 cm. long, 1.2-3.5 cm. wide. Raceme cylindrical, laxly or
densely flowered, with the flowers approximate or sometimes compact or distant,
elongated, 6-45 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts narrowly lanceolate,
the lowermost up to 4 cm. long and greatly exceeding the flowers. Flowers small,
green, fragrant. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong to elliptic, obtuse, concave, connivent
with the petals to form a hood over the column, 3-nerved, 3-6 mm. long, 2-3 mm.
wide below the middle. Lateral sepals strongly deflexed, ovate-lanceolate to
linear-elliptic, oblique, obtuse to subacute, 3-nerved, 4-8 mm. long, 1.8-2.5 mm.
wide. Petals ovate-oblong to lanceolate, more or less falcate, obtuse to subacute,
obliquely dilated at the base, connivent with the dorsal sepal, 3.2-6.5 mm. long,
1.5-3 mm. wide at the base. Lip linear-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, taper-
ing or rounded at the base, strongly arcuate-decurved in natural position, with a
thick cushion or tubercle on the median face near the base, often with lightly
FIG. 7. Habenaria limosa. 1, plant (X K); 2, flower, side view (X 4); 3,
dorsal sepal (X 4); 4, petal (X 4); 5, lateral sepal (X 4); 6, lip (X 4). Drawn by
G. W. Dillon.
37
38 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
revolute margins, 4-8.5 mm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide below the middle. Spur
cylindrical, filiform, tapering at the apex, usually about twice as long as the lip,
1-2.5 cm. long, rarely shorter. Column stout, short, 1-2 mm. long.
Chimaltenango: Sierra Santa Elena, near Tecpam, Caec. & Ed.
Seler 2294. Near Tecpam, Skutch 492. — Huehuetenango : 2^ miles
east of San Mateo Ixtatan, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
49879. Between Tojquia and Caxin bluff, summit of Sierra de los
Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 50168. Alpine areas in vicinity of
Tunima, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48342. Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Skutch 1093. — Quezaltenango : Volcan Santo
Tomas, Steyermark 34818.
Habenaria monorrhiza (Sw.) Reichb. f. Ber. Deutsch. Bot.
Gesell. 3: 274. 1885. Orchis monorrhiza Sw. Prodr. 118. 1788, in
part. Habenaria maculosa Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 308. 1835.
Rather common in low weedy ground, wet meadows and thickets,
on wooded hillsides and open slopes, rarely on the base of trees, up
to 1,500 meters alt. Widespread throughout the West Indies,
Jamaica, Guatemala and northern South America.
Plant rather stout, glabrous, 1.8-12 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves ovate to
lanceolate, acute or acuminate, with the margins undulate-scarious, 4-12 cm. long,
2-4 cm. wide; leaf-sheaths maculate. Raceme 5-22 cm. long, 2.5-4 cm. in diameter.
Bracts ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, with the margins scarious, 1.2-2 cm.
long. Flowers white, with stout pedicellate ovaries that are about 2 cm. long.
Dorsal sepal oval to suborbicular, concave, the median nerve carinate, 6.5-7.5 mm.
long, 4.5-5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate or elliptic, somewhat
carinate along the median nerve, 6-8 mm. long, 3.5-4 mm. wide. Petals bipartite;
posterior lobe narrowly oblong or elliptic, obtuse, 6-8 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide; an-
terior lobe filiform, 5-7 mm. long. Lip tripartite to the base; mid-lobe narrowly Un-
gulate, rising from a broad base, 6.5-10 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; lateral lobes
filiform, 7.5-11.5 mm. long. Spur slender, 1.8-2.3 cm. long. Column 2.5 cm. long.
Habenaria monorrhiza is distinguished by its undulate-scarious
leaf -margins and maculate leaf-sheaths.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 8299. Coban, Turckheim
8459; II 1507. Finca Mocca, Johnson 58. Senahie, Goll 172. Be-
tween Coban and Finca Chimote", near Rubeltein, Steyermark
44165. — Quezaltenango: Finca Helvetia, Skutch 1377. Finca San
Jos£ Buenavista, near Coatepeque, Margaret Ward Lewis 211.—
Retalhuleu: Near Chivolandia (Dept. Quezaltenango), along road
to San Felipe, Standley 87210.
Habenaria novemfida Lindl. in Benth. PL Hartw. 94. 1842.
H. diffusa A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. ser. 3, 3: 28. 1845. H.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OP GUATEMALA 39
dipleura Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 194. 1918 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Quiche", inter Joyabaj et Chichicastenango, September, 1870,
Bernoulli & Cario 560). H. quinquefila Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15:
195. 1918 (type: Guatemala, locis graminosis inter Coban et Gualan,
August, 1870, Bernoulli & Cario). Figure 5.
Rather common on grassy slopes of open woods and shrub forests,
along streams and in meadows and on open rocky hills, up to 2,800
meters alt. Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador and Costa
Rica.
Plant rather slender, glabrous, 2.5-7.5 dm. tall; stem leafy at or above the
middle. Leaves oblong-elliptic to linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, spreading,
3-14 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide. Raceme loose or compact with few to many flowers,
6-20 cm. long, 3.5-5.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 8-23 mm.
long. Flowers pale green or yellowish green, with slender pedicellate ovaries that
are 1.5-2.5 cm. long. Sepals carinate along the three central veins. Dorsal sepal
ovate-elliptic to suborbicular, subacute, concave, 4.5-7 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-elliptic to oblong, obtuse to subacute, 7-10 mm.
long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Petals bipartite; posterior lobe linear, falcate, 4.2-6 mm.
long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; anterior lobe filiform, 7-10.5 mm. long. Lip tripartite to
the base; mid-lobe narrowly linear, 6-11 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; lateral
lobes filiform or narrowly linear, spreading at right angles to the mid-lobe, strongly
curved upwards (in some specimens irregularly denticulate on the concave margin),
11-15 mm. long. Spur slender, recurved, somewhat thickened at the apex, 2-3.2
cm. long. Column 2.5-3 cm. long.
Habenaria novemfida is an extremely variable species. The
flowers resemble those of H. entomantha but are much larger. The
plants of H. novemfida are larger and more robust than those of
H. entomantha and the leaves are mostly near the middle of the stem
and spreading, whereas the leaves of H. entomantha are scattered
along the stem and are equitant.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1991. — Guatemala: Road to
Lake Amatitlan, about 3 miles from Guatemala, Margaret Ward
Lewis 147. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso
Ixtahuacan, Steyermark 50619. — Quiche*: Between Joyabaj and Chi-
chicastenango, Bernoulli & Cario 1134. — Zacapa: Sierra de las
Minas, between Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca
Alejandria, Steyermark 29686.
Habenaria pauciflora (Lindl.) Reichb. f. Bonpl. 2: 10. 1854.
Bonatia pauciflora Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 329. 1835.
Rare in boggy or upland grasslands, savannas, thickets, and
open forests, on rocky grassy slopes, up to 1,350 meters alt. Mexico,
Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and South America.
40 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant rigidly erect, slender, from a small solitary tuber, 2.5-6 dm. tall. Stem
nearly concealed by the leaves, provided at the base with several reddish brown
sheaths. Leaves small, spathaceous, acuminate, suberect to erect-spreading,
clasping the stem, 5-20 cm. long. Inflorescence composed of one to three flowers.
Floral bracts similar to the leaves but smaller. Flowers white to light green or
cream-colored, with long conspicuously arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are up
to 12 cm. long. Dorsal sepal erect, cymbiform, oval in outline, obtuse and mucro-
nate at the apex, 9-15 mm. long, 6-9 mm. wide. Lateral sepals strongly deflexed,
ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, oblique, acute and with a slender recurved
mucro at the apex, deeply concave, 1.2-1.6 cm. long, about 5 mm. wide below the
middle. Petals bipartite, erect; posterior lobe fleshy, linear-oblong to elliptic-
oblong, subacute, falcate, somewhat contorted, 9-13 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide;
anterior lobe fleshy-coriaceous, linear, falcate, subacute, 8-10 mm. long, about
1 mm. wide. Lip tripartite to near the base, fleshy-coriaceous, pendent, with the
lateral lobes somewhat spreading, 1.3-1.7 cm. long, about 4 mm. wide below the
divisions; lobes subequal, linear, obtuse to acute, 9-14 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide. Spur elongated, arcuate, slender below, somewhat clavate above, 4-8 cm.
long. Column short, stout.
The one- to three-flowered inflorescence distinguishes this species
from all other Habenarias found in Guatemala. It is known as "cho-
chol" in Guatemala.
Huehuetenango: Between Democracia and Santa Ana Huista,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51291. Between Nenton
and Las Palmas, via Yalisjao, Rincon, Chiquite, Chiaquial, Guaxa-
cana, in Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51589. — Pete"n:
La Libertad and vicinity, M. Aguilar H. 208.
Habenaria quinqueseta (Michx.) Sw. Adnot. Bot. 46. 1829.
Orchis quinqueseta Michx. Fl. Bor.-Am. 2: 155. 1803. Habenaria
macroceratitis Willd. Sp. PI. 4: 44. 1805. H. macroceratitis var.
brevicakarata Ames, Orch., Fasc. IV: 224. 1910 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Solola, San Lucas Toliman, alt. 1,800 meters, February,
1894, Heyde & Lux 6383). Figure 8.
Uncommon in sandy pine woods, along wooded streams, and in
open or shady places on dry hills, up to 2,000 meters alt. Wide-
spread from South Carolina and Florida through Alabama to
Louisiana and Texas, Mexico and Central America to northern
South America, and the West Indies.
Plant slender or stout, glabrous, 2-9 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves oblong-
lanceolate to oblong-obovate, broadly rounded to acuminate at the apex, 6-25 cm.
FIG. 8. Habenaria quinqueseta. 1, plant (X %); 2, lip and column, front view
(X 2); 3, petal (X 2); 4, lateral sepal (X 2); 5, dorsal sepal (X 2). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
41
42 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
long, 2.5-6 cm. wide. Raceme few- to many-flowered, lax, 7-25 cm. long, 5-6 cm.
in diameter. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 1.5-2.8 cm. long, 7-15 mm.
wide. Flowers greenish white, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 2-3 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to suborbicular, obtuse, concave, 6-13 mm.
long, 5-10 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate,
obtuse to acute, 8-16 mm. long, 4-7 mm. wide. Petals bipartite; posterior lobe
oblong-linear, falcate, obtuse to acute, 6-15 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide; anterior
lobe filiform, recurved, 13-25 mm. long. Lip tripartite; mid-lobe linear, with
revolute margins, 8-20 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide; lateral lobes filiform, recurved
at the apex, 15-30 mm. long. Spur varying from slender to strongly clavate, re-
curved, 4-18 cm. long.
The flowers of H. quinqueseta are very variable, particularly in
respect to the spur. A number of segregates have been made,
based mainly upon the relative length of the spur and the various
shapes of the leaves.
Guatemala: Aguilar 39. Guatemala market, Johnston 1564. —
Huehuetenango : Along Rio Cuilco, between Cuilco and aldea of
San Juan, 2^ miles west of Cuilco, Steyermark 50857. — Retalhuleu:
Near Rio Xabe, Finca San Jose" Nil, W. R. Hatch & C. L. Wilson
391B. San Sebastian near Retalhuleu, Bernoulli & Cario 679.
Habenaria repens Nutt. Gen. N. Am. PI. 2: 190. 1818. Figures
5, 9.
In ditches, streams, swamps, ponds, and along lake shores, often
on floating mats, also in wet soil of meadows, fresh-water marshes
and bogs; usually in the lowlands, rarely above 1,800 meters alt.
This is one of the most common and widely ranging species of
Habenaria. It occurs in the United States from North Carolina
to Florida, along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas, from
Guatemala through Central and South America, and throughout
the West Indies.
Plant semi-aquatic, stout or slender, glabrous, 1-9 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves
linear-oblong to linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, chartaceous, 5-24 cm. long,
3.5-20 mm. wide. Raceme densely flowered (rarely consisting of a few scattered
flowers), 6-28 cm. long, 2.5-3 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acute, 1.5-9 cm.
long, about 1 cm. wide at the base. Flowers small, greenish, with slender pedicel-
late ovaries that are 9-14 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oval to orbicular-ovate, mucro-
nate, concave, 3-7 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals ovate to ovate-
oblong, mucronate, 4-7 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Petals bipartite; posterior
lobe lanceolate, falcate, acute, 3-7 mm. long; anterior lobe filiform, falcate, 4-7.5
mm. long. Lip tripartite to within 2 mm. of the base; mid-lobe linear, 4-7 mm.
long; lateral lobes filiform, 5-11 mm. long. Spur slender, 9-14 mm. long.
A striking peculiarity of this species is its adaptation to life in
wet places. Again and again it is reported as being associated with
FIG. 9. Habenaria re-pens. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, front view (X 2); 3,
petal (X 3). Original drawing by Blanche Ames; redrawn by G. W. Dillon.
43
44 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
aquatic plants. It is occasionally found floating on deep lakes and
quiet waters with water hyacinth and other floating plants.
Alta Verapaz: Near Coban, Turckheim II2189. East of Tactic,
Standley 92377. Near San Juan Chamelco, Standley 92448; 92242.
East of Tactic, Steyermark 43982.— Chimaltenango : Lago de los Pinos,
J. R. Johnston 1400. Duefias, Salvin 183 (fide Hemsley). — Guate-
mala: Near Finca La Aurora, Ignacio Aguilar 311. — Izabal: Shores
of Lago Izabal, on side opposite San Felipe, between Punta Dos
Reales and Punta de Lechuga, Steyermark 39594. — Jalapa: Los
Amates, Kellerman 8091. South and east of Jalapa, Steyermark
32064. Chichoy, Johnston 1576. — Jutiapa: Lago Retana, between
Ovejero and Progreso, Steyermark 32020. — Sacatepe"quez: Along
Rio Guacalate, northwest of Antigua, Standley 64700. — Santa Rosa:
Pueblo Viejo, Heyde &Lux 6244. Lago de los Pinos, near Sabanetas,
Standley 60434. — Solola: Finca Moca, J. Bequaert 50. — Jocola,
Johnson 1006.
Habenaria strictissima Reichb. f. Linnaea 18: 407. 1844.
H. latipetala Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 194. 1918 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Pete*n, Sacluc, in dumetis apricis, September, 1877,
Bernoulli & Cario).
Rather rare in rich soil of woods, on rocky brushy hills and grassy
plains, up to 2,000 meters alt. Apparently restricted to Mexico,
Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Plant slender, glabrous, 2-9 dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves ovate-lanceolate
to oblong-elliptic, acute to subacuminate, occasionally much reduced, 4-14 cm.
long, 1.5-5 cm. wide. Raceme lax, with approximate flowers, 8-30 cm. long, 2.5-4
cm. in diameter. Bracts ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 1-2.5 cm. long.
Flowers yellowish green, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are about 1.5 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, obtuse, cucullate, 5-7.5 mm. long, 4-5.5 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate or elliptic, semilunate, 5-9 mm. long, 3.5-4.5
mm. wide. Petals rotundate-square to suborbicular, obtuse or broadly rounded
at the apex, often auriculate at the base on the anterior margin, 2.5-4 mm. long,
2.5-3.5 mm. wide. Lip linear-oblong, obtuse, with an angular tooth on each side
at the base, 6.5-10 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide. Spur slender, slightly thickened at
the apex, 1.8-2.8 cm. long.
Chiquimula: Above El Rincon, Standley 74731.- — Escuintla: 4 km.
north of San Jose", Worth 8627. — Jutiapa: Vicinity of Jutiapa,
FIG. 10. Habenaria strictissima var. odontopetala. Plant (X %$);!, lateral
sepal (X 5) ; 2, lip and column, front view (X 5) ; 3 and 4, two types of petals ( X 5).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
45
46 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Standley 74899. — Pete"n: La Libertad and vicinity, Mercedes Aguilar
H. 156.
Habenaria strictissima var. odontopetala (Reichb. f.) L. 0.
Wms. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 7: 184. 1939. H. odontopetala
Reichb. f. Linnaea 18: 407. 1844. H. Selerorum Schltr. Bull. Herb.
Boiss. 7: 539. 1899 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, ad mar-
gines silvarum prope Coban, December, Seler 2492). Figures 5, 10.
Rather common in moist rich soil of woods and swamps, up to
1,500 meters alt. Widespread in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala,
Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and the West Indies.
Variety odontopetala is very similar to H. strictissima. It is on the average a
much larger plant than the species. Although the shape of the lip is the same in
both, that of var. odontopetala is usually much slenderer and longer than that of
H. strictissima. The petals are the most dissimilar character of the two segregates.
The petals of var. odontopetala are essentially oblong-quadrate, 3-lobulate at the
blunt apex and have a protuberant anterior basal angle; whereas, the petals of
the species are essentially suborbicular, obtuse or broadly rounded at the apex
and usually lack the basal protuberance.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1425. — Chiquimula: Cerro
Tixixi (Tishishi), 3-5 miles north of Jocotan, Steyermark 31571.—
Izabal: Between Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas, Steyermark
42031.
DOUBTFUL AND EXCLUDED SPECIES
Habenaria laatiana Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 21: 330. 1925 (type:
Guatemala, Praderas de Guatemala, 1,400 meters, July, 1921,
A. Tonduz 741). Possibly referable to H. entomantha.
Habenaria maxillaris Lindl. Duefias, Wendland (fide Hemsley).
Habenaria sparsiflora Wats. Chimaltenango: Near Tecpam in
Sierra S. Elena, Seler 2294 (fide Schlechter). Quezaltenango : Moun-
tain woods between Totonicapan and Los Encuentros, Seler 2295
(fide Schlechter). Apparently misidentified, because it is too far out
of the range of this species.
4. TRIPHORA Nutt.
Inconspicuous terrestrial herbs, stoloniferous and bearing fleshy tuberoids;
stem slender, with several small clasping alternate leaves. Inflorescence composed
FIG. 11. Triphora cubensis. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, side view (X 4);
3, column, side view (X 4); 4, petal (X 4); 5, dorsal sepal (X 4); 6, lateral sepal
(X 4); 7, lip, front view, spread open (X 4). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
47
48 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
of small nodding flowers borne in the axils of the upper leaves, racemose or corym-
bose. Perianth parts distinct. Lip three-crested, obscurely or deeply three-lobed.
Column free, slender, straight, entire or simply lobed at the apex; anther erect
or subincumbent, rigidly attached to the top of the column. Pollen granular,
extine pitted or reticulate. Capsule nodding, ellipsoid.
This is a small genus of about ten species, which are widely
distributed in temperate and tropical America.
1. Lip obscurely or shallowly 3-lobed, crested with 2 parallel keels. . .T. debilis.
1. Lip prominently and deeply 3-lobed, crested with 3 longitudinal keels.
2. Column 9 mm. or more long; lip 5 mm. or more wide across the lateral
lobes T. trianthophora.
2. Column about 7 mm. long; lip 4 mm. or less wide across the lateral lobes.
T. cubensis.
Triphora cubensis (Reichb. f.) Ames in Sched. Orch. 7: 35.
1924. Pogonia cubensis Reichb. f. in Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 4: 322.
1858 (by typographical error as rubensis). Figure 11.
In pinelands and clearings, up to 1,500 meters alt. Rare in
southern Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and the West Indies.
Plant glabrous, slender or stout, 6-26 cm. tall, produced from an elongated
cylindrical tuber that is up to 6 cm. long. Leaves abbreviated, ovate, spathaceous,
acute or apiculate, sheathing or appressed to the stem, scattered alternately along
the stem, 7-15 mm. long. Inflorescence corymbose, rarely one or two flowers,
composed of as many as ten (rarely more) flowers that are borne in the axils of
the upper leaves on slender pedicels (the pedicels of the lower flowers are elongated
to form a corymb). Flowers magenta, somewhat arcuate, small, with the segments
connivent. Sepals subequal, linear-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic-lanceolate,
obtuse to subacute, 6-11 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
linear to filiform, 6-10 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip obovate-oblanceolate
to subspatulate, 3-lobed, 7-10 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide across the lateral lobes;
lateral lobes obliquely triangular, obtuse, incurved, projecting 1-1.5 mm.; mid-
lobe suborbicular to suborbicular-rhombic, acute to apiculate, 2-3 mm. long and
wide. Column about 7 mm. long, slender. Capsule ellipsoid-ovoid, usually
erect, 1.2-1.5 cm. long.
This species is distinguished by its typically corymbose inflores-
cence and abbreviated leaves.
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along trail between Rio Hondo and
summit of mountain at Finca Alejandria, Steyermark 29653.
FIG. 12. Triphora trianthophora. 1, plant, in bud (X 1); 2, flower, side view
(X 2); 3, flowers (X 1); 4, upper part of column, with pollinia removed (X
5, upper part of column, side view (X 8^); 6, column, side-front view (X
7, lip, spread out (X 3); 8, longitudinal section through center of lip (X 5); 9,
pollinia (X 14); 10, pollen tetrad, median section to show pitted extine (highly
magnified); 11, capsule (X 1); 12, seed (highly magnified). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
49
50 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Triphora debilis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 196. 1918 (type:
Guatemala, Chilion, shady places, August, 1867, Bernoulli & Carlo
520).
Found only in Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, glabrous, about 10 cm. tall; stem weak, about 1.5 mm.
in diameter. Leaves usually 4, spreading, broadly ovate or suborbicular, subacute
or shortly acuminate, clasping the stem at the base, 1-1.7 cm. long, 8-14 mm.
wide below the middle. Inflorescence a solitary, suberect flower terminating the
stem, subtended by a foliaceous bract, with a subclavate pedicellate ovary that is
about 9 mm. long. Bract ovate, acuminate, about 4.5 mm. long. Sepals lanceo-
late or liguliform, subacute, becoming narrow at the base, about 1.8 cm. long;
lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, somewhat
narrowed at the base, about 1.6 cm. long, wider than the sepals. Lip rhomboid-
spatulate, obscurely or shallowly 3-lobed, 1.6 cm. long, about 6 mm. wide above
the middle, crested with two parallel obtuse keels from the base to about the middle
of the lip; apical lobe quadrate and adorned with small subulate tubercles that are
scattered over the disk. Column slender, 1.3 cm. long.
This species is closely related to T. trianthophora. It is very
probable that when more collections are available for study from
Central America this segregate will be relegated to T. trianthophora
or considered as a variety of that species. Represented from Guate-
mala only by the type collection.
Triphora trianthophora (Sw.) Rydb. in Britton, Man. Fl.
Northern States and Canada, ed. 1: 298. 1901. Arethusa tri-
anthophoros Sw. Kongl. Sven. Vet. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 230.
1800. Triphora mexicana (S. Wats.) Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 17:
139. 1921. Figures 12, 13.
In leaf mold of pine and oak forests, occasionally on rotten limbs
of trees, up to 3,000 meters alt. Widespread but not common in
the eastern and middle United States; uncommon in Mexico, Guate-
mala and Panama.
Plant slender, weak, glabrous, 6.5-27 cm. tall, somewhat stoloniferous; stem
1-3 mm. in diameter, tinged with maroon, translucent in drying. Leaves small,
sessile, ovate-elliptic to cordate-ovate or cordate-reniform, obtuse to acute, usually
FIG. 13. Triphora trianthophora. 1 and 2, fruiting plants (X 1); 3, tuber and
stolons (X 1); 4, young tubers, showing original point of attachment to stolon,
at basal end (lower right), and illustrating development of stolon and minute
tuber (lower left), and formation of bud from which a stem is about to arise
(upper center) ( X 2) ; 5, tubers (later stage of development than shown in figure 4)
with stolon elongated and tuber enlarged (X 2); 6, longitudinal section through
middle uppermost tuber shown in figure 5 (semidiagrammatic). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
LIBRARY
52 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
tinged with purple, clasping the stem, 8-25 mm. long, 5-25 mm. wide. Inflores-
cence composed of 1-3 (rarely more) flowers borne in the axils of the upper leaves.
Flowers pale pink, rose-magenta or almost white, marked with white, green and
purple, nodding, ringent, with pedicellate ovaries that are 1-1.3 cm. long. Dorsal
sepal linear to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse or acute, somewhat concave, 10-17 mm.
long, about 2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals lanceolate, somewhat falcate, subacute
or acute, 10-17 mm. long, about 2.5 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblong to linear-
spatulate, falcate, obtuse or acute, 9.5-18 mm. long, about 2.5 mm. wide. Lip
prominently 3-lobed, obovate or cuneate in outline, narrowed to a short slender
claw, 10-16 mm. long, 5-9 mm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes ovate-
triangular, obtuse; mid-lobe suborbicular to subdeltoid, with undulate-crenate
margins; disk with 3 green keels on the median line which disintegrate at the free
ends and vanish toward the lower part of the mid-lobe into tiny teeth that are
traceable as minute papillae nearly to the apex of the mid-lobe. Column semi-
terete at the base, laterally dilated near the middle, 9-12 mm. long. Capsule
pendent, 1.5-2 cm. long.
Because of its color and small size this species is easily over-
looked in its native habitat.-
Chimaltenango: Chichavac, Skutch 494. — Huehuetenango : Be-
tween Santa Ana Huista and Nenton, via hamaca over Rio Azul
and "La Laguna," Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51397.
Paso del Boqueron, along Rio Trapichillo, below La Libertad,
Steyermark 51198.
5. PSILOCHILUS Barb. Rodr.
Terrestrial herbs with creeping rhizomes. Roots adventitious, fleshy. Leaves
membranaceous with lax vaginate petioles. Flowers few, in a short, terminal,
spicate raceme. Sepals free, dorsally carinate along the mid-vein. Petals free,
not carinate. Lip free, three-lobed, crested with three longitudinal calli on the
central face of the disk, spurless. Column elongate, clavate, marginate, entire
or simply lobed at the apex. Anther terminal, stipitate, mobile, 2-celled. Pollinia
4; pollen grains compound with the extine pitted or reticulate.
This is a monotypic genus of tropical America.
Psilochilus macrophyllus (Lindl.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII: 45.
1922. Pogonia macrophylla Lindl. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3,
1: 335. 1858. Figure 14.
Rare in rich moist humus in mountain forests, up to 1,600 meters
alt. Throughout the West Indies, Guatemala and northern South
America.
Plant coarse, glabrous, purplish, from a creeping rhizome, 1-3.6 dm. tall;
stem leafy. Leaves ovate-cordate to ovate-oblong, acute or acuminate, 2-11 cm.
long, 1.2-4 cm. wide; petiole arising from a lax vaginate base. Raceme short,
occasionally branching, composed of 2 to 8 flowers, 2.5-7 cm. long. Bracts am-
PSIL-OCHIL^US
inijiii
FIG. 14. Psilochilus macrophyllus. Plant (X 1); 1, flower, side view (X 2);
2, column, front view (note supplementary anthers; X 4); 3, lip, spread out (X 4);
4, supplementary anthers ( X 7) ; 5, pollen tetrad, showing pitted extine. Drawn
by Blanche Ames.
53
54 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
plexicaul, broadly ovate, acute, 1-2 cm. long, 7-15 mm. wide at the base. Flowers
ringent, on slender pedicels that are 4-7 mm. long. Sepals dark greenish purple,
carinate along the mid-vein, with the margins involute; dorsal sepal linear to
narrowly oblanceolate, acute, incurved, 1.8-2 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide; lateral
sepals linear, acute, somewhat falcate, 1.7-1.8 cm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Petals
greenish white, narrowly linear, obtuse or subacute, 1.5-1.7 cm. long, 2-3.5 mm.
wide. Lip broadly spatulate, with a narrow channeled claw, 3-lobed, with three
inconspicuous longitudinal calli on the median face of the disk, greenish yellow
or white, with a purple tip, 1.2-1.5 cm. long; mid-lobe subrotund, recurved, with
the margin crisped, extending 5-6 mm. beyond the lateral lobes; lateral lobes
short, obtuse, about 2 mm. long. Column incurved, subclavate, slightly winged,
1.2-1.4 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Near Coban, Turckheim II 1998. Between Tactic
and the divide on road to Tamahu, Standley 91359. — Huehuetenango :
Vicinity of Maxbal, about seventeen miles north of Barillas, Sierra
de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48897. Cerro Victoria, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, near Barillas, Steyermark 49721. — San Marcos:
Above Finca El Porvenir, up Loma Bandera Shac, lower south-
facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37344.
6. VANILLA Swartz
Stout scandent terrestrial herbs, branching; stems with leaves or sometimes
aphyllous, emitting adventitious roots. Leaves leathery, chartaceous or mem-
branous. Raceme or spikes lateral or subterminal, short. Flowers large. Sepals
subequal, free, spreading. Petals similar to the sepals. Lip adnate to the column
and often enclosing the base of the column, simple or three-lobed. Column long,
without a foot. Anther one, attached to the margin of the clinandrium, incumbent.
Pollen powdery or granular. Capsule long, fleshy.
This is a complex genus of fifty or more species found in the
tropics throughout the world. Several of the species are cultivated
for their aromatic properties. Unfortunately our knowledge of the
genus is still very imperfect. The flowers are ephemeral and very
difficult to press, so that the specimens brought in by collectors are
usually sterile or so poorly preserved that the floral characters are
difficult to interpret. Throughout the literature devoted to the
genus, this situation has been emphasized. With the increasing
interest now being taken in the vegetation of the American tropics,
it is hoped that efforts will be made to preserve flowers of vanilla
in alcohol, so that the difficulties of identification of old species and
the proper characterization of new ones will be simplified.
1. Floral bracts foliaceous, similar to the leaves but usually much smaller; lip
without a retrorse tuft of scales or hairs on the disk; capsule not fragrant.
2. Lip 3-keeled, more than 3.5 cm. long V. inodora.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 55
2. Lip with a large fleshy callus on the mid-lobe, less than 3.5 cm. long.
V. Pfaviana.
1. Floral bracts not foliaceous, dissimilar to the leaves; lip with a retrorse tuft
of scales or hairs on the disk; capsule fragrant.
3. Lip less than 7 cm. long, conspicuously verrucose along the center near the
apex V. planifolia.
3. Lip more than 7.5 cm. long, not conspicuously verrucose along the center.
V. pompona.
Vanilla inodora Schiede, Linnaea 4: 574. 1829.
On trees in rocky woodlands and in coffee plantations, up to
about 1,200 meters alt. Widespread from Mexico through Central
America to northern South America and the West Indies.
Stem thick, somewhat flexuose, leafy, about 8 mm. thick. Leaves subsessile,
ovate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic, shortly acuminate, much longer than the inter-
nodes, membranaceous to subcoriaceous, nervose, up to 28 cm. long and 11 cm.
wide. Raceme axillary or subterminal, flexuose, with about six flowers, up to
15 cm. long. Floral bracts in two ranks, foliaceous, membranaceous, similar to
the leaves but much smaller and variable in size, ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate,
subacute, up to 3 cm. long, occasionally much longer. Flowers greenish, with
the lip white and yellowish at the base, with pedicellate ovaries that are about
3.8 cm. long. Sepals lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, subobtuse, 4.5-5 cm. long,
1-1.5 cm. wide. Petals oblong-lanceolate, subobtuse, 4.5-5 cm. long, 1-1.4 cm.
wide. Lip deeply 3-lobed, about equal to the sepals and petals but broader,
shortly adnate to the base of the column, 3.8-4.5 cm. long, about 3 cm. wide when
spread out; lateral lobes oblong, obtuse; mid-lobe spreading and then erect, broadly
ovate-oblong, subacute; disk 3-keeled, without a tuft of hairs. Column clavate,
2-3 cm. long. Capsule linear-elongate, slightly tapering at the apex, slender, up
to 25 cm. long, not fragrant.
No specimens from Guatemala have been seen. The description
has been drawn from the original description and supplemented by
that in Fawcett and Rendle in their Flora of Jamaica. It is suspi-
ciously similar to V. Pfaviana and with further research that species
may prove to be referable to V. inodora. The following collections
are sterile, but vegetatively match the above description. They
are cited here with some reservation as to their true identity.
Izabal: Near Entre Rios, Standley 72709. — Huehuetenango : Cerro
Chiblac, between Finca San Rafael and Ixcan, Sierra de los Cuchu-
matanes, Steyermark 49171. — Suchitepequez : Southern lower slopes
of Volcan Zunil, vicinity of Finca Las Nubes, along Quebrada Chita,
east of Pueblo Nuevo, Steyermark 35412.
Vanilla Pfaviana Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. n. s. 20: 230. 1883.
Vanilla Preussii Kranzl. Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Mus. Berlin 7: 320.
1919 (type: Guatemala, in shrub-forest near El Baul plantation,
torrid zone, Preuss 1445). Figure 15.
FIG. 15. Vanilla Pfaviana. Plant, flowering portion (X 1); 1, lip, front view,
spread out (X 1M); 2, column, front view (X 13^). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
56
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 57
Climbing on trees in oak-pine forest, up to 1,500 meters alt.
Mexico, British Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Stem slender, flexuose, leafy, about 3 mm. thick. Leaves suborbicular-ovate
to oblong-elliptic, abruptly acute or acuminate, longer than the internodes, fleshy-
coriaceous, up to 21 cm. long and 8 cm. wide. Raceme terminal or lateral. Floral
bracts foliaceous, similar to the leaves but usually smaller, occasionally as large
as the leaves. Flowers rather close or distant, green with a white lip and orange-
yellow in the throat. Sepals and petals conspicuously contorted throughout and
revolute at the apex. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, broadly obtuse to acute, about
4 cm. long and 1.1-1.3 cm. wide. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, narrowly obtuse to
acute, about 4.2 cm. long and 8 mm. wide. Lip deeply 3-lobed, adnate to the
column for about 5 mm., arcuate in natural position with the sides involute and
the apex reflexed, about 3 cm. long and 2.7 cm. wide across the lateral lobes when
spread out; lateral lobes semiobcordate, broadly rounded above; mid-lobe obcordate
to subquadrate, emarginate, with the margins crenate, 1.5-2 cm. wide; disk with
a pair of short keels just in front of the column and with a large elliptic thickened
callus extending along the center to the sinus of the mid-lobe, without a tuft of
hairs. Column slender, arcuate, thickened at the apex, about 2 cm. long. Capsule
very slender, curved, tapering at the apex, not fragrant, up to 18 cm. long and
about 1 cm. in diameter.
Except for some differences in the size of the floral segments,
the concept V. Preussii agrees very well with that of V. Pfaviana.
The following material is sterile but it has the slender stem and leaves
of this species and probably belongs here.
Baja Verapaz: Turckheim 1764. — Escuintla: El Zapote, Muenscher
12480. — San Marcos: Above Finca El Porvenir on "Todos Santos
Chiquitos," lower south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyer-
mark 37076.
Vanilla planifolia Andrews, Bot. Repos. 8: t. 538. 1808. Vanilla
fragrans (Salisb.) Ames, Sched. Orch. 7: 36. 1924. Figure 16.
Rooted in soil and climbing on trees in swamps, wet thickets,
savannas and mixed forests, up to 600 meters alt. Rather common
in the lowlands from southern Florida and Mexico through Central
America to northern South America and the West Indies. Culti-
vated throughout the tropics of both hemispheres.
Plant scandent, branching, leafy. Stem terete, about 1 cm. in diameter.
Leaves subsessile, oblong-elliptic to narrowly lanceolate, acute to shortly acumi-
nate, fleshy-succulent, up to 23 cm. long and 8 cm. wide, usually smaller. Racemes
axillary, with as many as twenty or more flowers, up to 8 cm. long. Floral bracts
ovate-oblong, obtuse to subacute, 5-10 mm. long, unlike the leaves. Flowers
greenish yellow, with pedicellate ovaries that are about 2.5 cm. long. Sepals
and petals sublinear to oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute. Sepals 4-5.5
(rarely 7) cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide above the middle. Petals somewhat shorter
and narrower than the sepals. Lip attached to the column almost to its apex to
FIG. 16. Vanilla planifolia. 1, plant (X /^); 2, lip, front-side view, in
natural position (X 1); 3, lip, spread open (X 1); 4, column, front-side view ( X 2).
Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
58
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 59
form a tube, dilated and reflexed at the apex, when spread out 4-5 cm. long and
1.5-3 cm. wide at the widest point; lamina obscurely 3-lobed, cuneate-obovate
in outline, retuse and irregularly fringed on the revolute margins; disk with a
retrorse tuft of hairs near the center and several verrucose lines extended from
the tuft to the thickened apex of the lip. Column arcuate, bearded on the ventral
surface, about 3 cm. long. Capsule narrowly cylindrical, fragrant, up to 25 cm.
long and 8 mm. in diameter.
This species is the common vanilla of commerce and is grown
for commercial purpose in many parts of the tropics. It has been
known ever since the discovery of America. Pollination for com-
mercial purposes is artificial. For information concerning the history,
cultivation and importance of this species see Correll (Lloydia 7:
236-264. 1944).
Alta Verapaz: Jocolo, Johnson 1178. Vicinity of Finca Yalpe-
mech, near Alta Verapaz-Pete'n boundary line, Steyermark 45286.
North of Conception, 3-5 miles southeast of Finca Yalpemech, near
Alta Verapaz-Pete'n boundary line, Steyermark 45233. — Izabal:
Vicinity of Puerto Barrios, Standley 25064. Between Milla 49.5
and ridge 6 miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, Steyermark
38539. Swamps of Salomon Creek, one-half to one mile south of
Bananera, Steyermark 38944. — Pete*n: La Libertad and vicinity,
Lundell 164.
Vanilla pompona Schiede, Linnaea 4: 573. 1829.
On trees and shrubs in forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Wide-
spread from Mexico through Central America to northern South
America.
Stem large, up to 1.5 cm. thick, leafy. Leaves ovate-oblong to broadly lanceo-
late, obtuse to subacute, coriaceous, up to 30 cm. long and 8 cm. wide, much
exceeding the internodes. Raceme axillary, composed of about 8 flowers (some-
times more or less), up to 15 cm. long. Floral bracts broadly elliptic-oblong to
suborbicular, rounded to obtuse at the apex, unlike the leaves, up to 2.5 cm.
long and 2.5 cm. wide. Flowers large, fleshy, greenish yellow or creamy yellow,
fragrant. Sepals narrowly oblanceolate, obtuse, up to 9 cm. long and 1.8 cm. wide.
Petals narrowly oblanceolate, obtuse, dorsally keeled, up to 8.8 cm. long and 1.5 cm.
wide. Lip orange-yellow, attached to the column almost to its apex to form a
tube, upcurved in natural position with the apex flared, up to 9.5 cm. long, about
4.5 cm. wide near the apex when spread out; lamina obscurely 3-lobed, obovate
in outline, retuse and broadly rounded and undulate-crenulate at the apex, with
an apicule in the sinus, somewhat keeled on the back; disk prominently veined
with the veins somewhat thickened, thin, adorned with a retrorse tuft of fimbriate
scales about the middle and sometimes with several obscure lines of excrescences
from the tuft of hair to near the apex. Column arcuate, bearded on the ventral
surface, up to 7 cm. long. Capsule thick, fragrant, linear-elliptic, obtuse, trigonous,
up to 18 cm. long and 2.5 cm. thick.
60 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This species is cultivated for its aromatic properties. Although
not now an important source of commercial vanilla, its fruits were
at one time, under the name of "vanillons," a well-known tropical
product, and may have furnished the "vanilloes" referred to by
James Petiver in 1693 as an imperfectly known and "most earnestly
desired" article of commerce. The flowers, which last but a day,
are large and showy, creamy yellow in color, with a delightful fra-
grance. Under cultivation it is said that the plants will yield two
crops a year, six months being required from flower to "bean."
Pollination is artificial. The specimen cited below is sterile but
probably represents this species.
Izabal: Between Virginia and Lago Izabal, Montana del Mico,
Steyermark 38703.
7. ELLEANTHUS Presl
Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs with coarse, fleshy, matted roots; stem simple
or branched, leafy. Leaves sessile above a sheath, strongly nerved. Flowers
in dense heads or spicate racemes. Sepals subequal, free, erect. Petals as long
as the sepals, narrower. Lip attached to the base of the column and usually enclos-
ing it, erect, concave-saccate at the base with two prominent calli in the cavity,
usually slightly constricted above the cavity. Column erect, semiterete or winged,
without a foot. Anther 2-celled, operculate. Pollinia 8 (4 in each anther cell);
pollen waxy. Capsule ellipsoid or shortly cylindrical, erect or spreading.
In this genus there are approximately fifty species that are native
to tropical America from Mexico, Central America and the West
Indies to Brazil and Peru. The genus attains its highest develop-
ment in the Andean region of South America.
1. Flowers in a dense head; leaves lanceolate or broader E. capitatus.
1. Flowers in a short raceme, distichous; leaves linear, grass-like.
2. Flowers congested; floral bracts imbricated; rachis straight. . .E. linifolius.
2. Flowers distant, about 3 mm. apart; floral bracts not imbricated; rachis
fractiflex E. poiformis.
Elleanthus capitatus (R. Br.) Reichb. f. Walp. Ann. 6: 475.
1862. Bletia capitata R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, 5: 206. 1813.
Figure 17.
Common in wet forests, open wet banks, terrestrial and epiphytic
or on rocks, up to 2,400 meters alt. Widespread in the West Indies,
Mexico, through Central America south to Peru and southern Brazil.
Plant tall, stout, simple or branching above, in sparse clumps, 6-30 dm.
tall; stem leafy, 3-5 mm. in diameter, covered with leaf sheaths. Leaves charta-
ceous, elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, long acuminate, conspicuously
FIG. 17. Elleanthus capitatus. 1, upper part of plant with head of flowers
(X 1A); 2, column, side view (about X 1); 3, column, front-side view (about XI);
4, flower, side view (X 1) ; 5, flower, from above (X 1) ; 6, pollinia (much enlarged) ;
7, anther (much enlarged). Drawn by D. E. Tibbitts. Adapted in part from
Fawcett and Rendle, Flora of Jamaica 1: pi. 20. 1910.
61
62 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
nerved, 10-23 cm. long, 2-7 cm. wide. Inflorescence a determinate hemispherical
head of many flowers, entire head covered by a mucilaginous fluid, 3-8.5 cm.
long, 2.5-6 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts imbricate, ovate-triangular to lanceo-
late, acuminate, membranous, the outer ones without flowers, 2.5-6 cm. long,
8-15 cm. wide. Flowers rose-purple, on pedicellate ovaries that are 1-1.5 cm.
long. Sepals oblong-elliptic, 9-13 mm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide; dorsal sepal obtuse
to subacute; lateral sepals subacute to acute, apiculate. Petals linear to linear-
oblanceolate, obtuse, 9-12 mm. long, 1.5-2.2 mm. wide above the middle. Lip
rotund-flabellate to orbicular-obcordate, involute and enclosing the column, apex
broadly emarginate with the margin erose-ciliate, saccate and with 2 subglobose,
white calli at the base, 10-14 mm. long, 8-12 mm. wide; calli about 2.5 mm.
long and 1.5 mm. wide. Column slightly dilated above, with a projecting, obtuse
process on the anterior side just below the stigma. Capsule ellipsoid, about 1.2 cm.
long and 5 mm. in diameter.
This species is especially common throughout most of Central
America and northern South America. It reaches its maximum
development in the Andes of Colombia and Peru.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2289. Chama to Coban,
Harry Johnson 558. Large swamp east of Tactic, Standley 92372.
On tree, along Rio Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha,
Standley 90084; 89835. On tree, wet forest near Tactic, above the
bridge across Rio Frio, Standley 90481. On high mossy hump in
swamp, just east of Tactic, Steyermark 43951. — Chimaltenango:
Quisache", Standley 62305. — Chiquimula: Volcan Ipala, near Amatillo,
Steyermark 30494. — Huehuetenango : Around lake southeast of Max-
bal, about 17 miles north of Barillas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 48823; 48704. — Sacatepe"quez : Antigua, on mossy hum-
mock, Margaret Ward Lewis 168. — Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-
facing slopes, Steyermark 47395. Terrestrial, pine woods bordering
Rio Bravo, in vicinity of Finca Moca, south-facing slopes of Volcan
Atitlan, Steyermark 47945. — Suchitepequez : Epiphyte, Volcan Santa
Clara, between Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark
46646. — Zacapa: Terrestrial, slopes of Monte Virgen, Sierra de las
Minas, around summit of mountain, Steyermark 42634. — Guatemala:
Ignacio Aguilar 426.
Elleanthus linifolius Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 97. 1827.
Rather uncommon on trees and rocks in wet forests, up to
1,300 meters alt. Found in the West Indies, Mexico, through Cen-
tral America to Peru.
Plant simple, grass-like, glabrous, growing in clumps from a mat of coarse,
fleshy roots, 1-3.5 dm. tall; stem very leafy. Leaves obliquely erect, linear,
unevenly tridentate at the apex, membranous, 3-15 cm. long, 1-3 mm. wide.
Raceme spicate, short, 1-2.5 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide. Bracts imbricate, broadly
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 63
ovate to ovate-oblong, subacute to acuminate, strongly carinate and concave,
longer than and usually enclosing the flowers, the margins scarious, 5-13 mm.
long, about 6 mm. wide (when spread out). Flowers small, distichous, white, on
short pedicellate ovaries. Dorsal sepal linear-oblong, acute, concave, 3-3.5 mm.
long, about 1 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, tapering to an acuminate
apex, subcordate at the base, often strongly carinate above the middle. Petals
linear-spatulate, broadly rounded at the apex, about 4 mm. long, mostly less than
1 mm. wide. Lip subquadrate-flabellate to broadly obovate, involute, completely
infolding the column, with the margins undulate and denticulate-ciliate, decurved,
somewhat constricted at the middle, saccate and with 2 small ovoid calli at the
base, 3.5-4.2 mm. long, about 4 mm. wide. Column short, subclavate, incurved,
about 2 mm. long.
This species is often represented in herbaria by specimens having
flowers in poor condition. It is rather distinct, however, in that its
whole aspect resembles a grass and the apex of the leaves (in our
material) is constantly unevenly tridentate.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Harry Johnson 829. Epiphyte on tree,
lowland forest in valley, "pantano," 2^ miles west of Cubilgiiitz,
Steyermark 44330. Epiphyte on top of limestone ridge, Cerro
Chinaja, between Finca Yalpemech and Chinaja, above source of
Rio San Diego, Steyermark 45673. — Izabal: Quirigua, Harry Johnson
1309. Between Bananera and "La Presa" in Montana del Mico,
Steyermark 38238; 38288. Lower slopes of rocky ravine along
tributary to Rio Frio, Steyermark 41572. Epiphyte, trail between
Rio Frio and Cayo Piedra, Steyermark 41649. Uppermost ridges
and summit, Cerro San Gil, Steyermark 41964.
Elleanthus poiformis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov., Beih. 19: 164.
1923.
On trees in pastures and forests, up to 1,700 meters alt. Guate-
mala and Costa Rica.
Plant small, densely caespitose, grass-like, 1-3 dm. tall; roots glabrous, rather
fleshy and branched. Stem filiform, about 1 mm. in diameter, concealed by the
leaf-sheaths, often drooping from the weight of the leaves. Leaves erect or
spreading, sessile, linear-filiform, membranous, unequally tridentate at the apex,
up to 7 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide, grass-green. Raceme laxly few-flowered, con-
spicuously fractiflex, about 3 cm. long, with the flowers distichously arranged
about 3 mm. apart; rachis covered with reddish brown hairs on the surface facing
the flowers. Floral bracts as long as or usually exceeding the flowers, fibrous-
chartaceous, broadly triangular-ovate, abruptly acuminate, conduplicate, 5-10
mm. long. Flowers small, white, with short pedicellate ovaries that are about
2 mm. long and with the ventral surface and sides densely covered with reddish
brown hairs. Sepals 3-4 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide, 1-nerved, with the outer
surface partly covered with reddish brown hairs; dorsal sepal elliptic to narrowly
lanceolate, acute to apiculate, cymbiform; lateral sepals triangular-lanceolate,
64 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
acute to acuminate, oblique, dorsally keeled at the apex. Petals linear-spatulate,
obtuse, 3.2-4 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip suborbicular-flabellate
when spread out, with the apical margins denticulate, saccate at the base and with
the sides upcurved in natural position, 3-5 mm. long, 3.5-4 mm. wide, with a
pair of ellipsoid calli nestling in the saccate base; calli attached to base of lip by
a thin thread. Column 2-2.5 mm. long.
This species is easily distinguished from the closely allied E. lini-
folius by its laxly flowered fractiflex raceme.
Alta Verapaz: Dense wet limestone forest near Chirriacte", on the
Pete"n highway, Standley 91976. — Izabal: Cerro San Gil, Steyermark
41963. La Vigia, between Bananera and Quirigua, Margaret Ward
Lewis 170. Salama, Johnston 1828.
8. SOBRALIA Ruiz & Pav.
Reedy terrestrial or epiphytic herbs with strongly nerved cauline leaves.
Leaves coriaceous, articulate with long sheaths. Flowers usually large, showy,
in a terminal axillary raceme. Bracts several, carinate, rigid, somewhat imbricate.
Sepals subequal, erect, connate at the base. Petals similar to but slightly broader
than the sepals. Lip adnate to the base of the column, entire or two-lobed, with
the basal half involute enclosing the column, the apex exserted, spreading, undulate
or fimbriate; disk smooth or variously crested with calli. Column elongate, foot-
less, sub-incurved, semiterete, acutely angled or narrowly winged, 3-lobed at the
apex. Pollinia 8 (4 in each cell of the bilocular anther), granulose. Capsule oblong
or elongate, rigid or fleshy.
This genus consists of about thirty-five species and is confined
to the tropics of Mexico and Central and South America. Some
of the species have very showy flowers.
1. Flowers solitary, large; lip more than 7 cm. long.
2. Flowers lavender or rose-purple, with pedicellate ovaries that are about
2.5 cm. long S. macrantha.
2. Flowers yellow, subsessile S. xantholeuca.
1. Flowers 1-2, small; lip less than 6 cm. long.
3. Stem flattened, two-edged; lip deeply fimbriate S. fragrans.
3. Stem terete; lip undulate-crisped, not deeply fringed.
4. Stem, lower surface of leaves and leaf -sheaths black warty or hispidulous;
flowers pale lavender and white; lip more than 3.8 cm. long. . .S. decora.
4. Stem, leaves and leaf-sheaths glabrous; flowers pale green or yellowish
white; lip less than 3.3 cm. long S. mucronata.
Sobralia decora Bateman, Orch. Mex. & Guat., t. 26. 1841
(type: Guatemala, Skinner). Figures 18, 19.
In deep shaded ravine in leaf mold, on rocks in oak-pine forests,
occasionally in the crotch of trees, up to 1,700 meters alt. Rather
common from Mexico to Honduras.
FIG. 18. Sobralia decora. Plant (X %). Drawn by Dorothy O. Allen.
65
66 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant erect, reed-like, 3.5-7.5 dm. tall, with the stem, lower surface of leaves
and leaf-sheaths more or less black warty or hispidulous; stem leafy above. Leaves
oblong-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, long acuminate, 5.5-22 cm. long, 1.5-6.5
cm. wide. Flowers 1-2, terminal, sessile or subsessile, pale lavender and white,
subtended by short, scarious sheaths. Sepals strongly apiculate and recurved at
the apex; dorsal sepal linear-oblong, 4-5 cm. long, 1.2-1.7 cm. wide; lateral sepals
linear-oblong, slightly falcate, 4-5 cm. long, 1-1.2 cm. wide. Petals oblong-elliptic,
subacute to acute, 3.5-4 cm. long, 1-1.1 cm. wide. Lip tubular-involute in natural
position, cucullate at the base, undulate-crisped and flared on the anterior margin,
retuse or apiculate at the broadly rounded apex, rose-purple or lavender streaked
with yellow and brown on the disk, when spread out obovate-rhomboid, 4-4.5 cm.
long, 3-3.5 cm. wide near the apex; disk covered with numerous sinuately anas-
tomosing veins, provided with numerous minute lamellae that traverse it longi-
tudinally. Column white, slender-clavate, 2-2.5 cm. long, trilobed at the apex;
lateral lobes slender-falcate; mid-lobe galeate. Capsule cylindrical, blackish,
prominently 6-ribbed, about 8 cm. long when mature.
This species is easily distinguished from other species of Sobralia
found in Guatemala by the short blackish pubescence found on the
stem, leaf-sheaths and lower surface of the leaves. All of the plants
in any one locality usually flower on the same day and last only one
day.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Harry Johnson 907. Cubilgiiitz, Turck-
heim 8006; 8458. — Chiquimula: Montana Castilla, vicinity of Mon-
tana Cebollas, along Rio Lucia Saso, three miles southeast of Quezal-
tepeque, Steyermark 31326. — Izabal: On tree along Rio Tameja,
Cerro San Gil, Steyermark 42004. — Pete"n: La Liber tad, Lundell 2961.
The following collections are sterile but probably represent this
species: Chiquimula: Rocky volcanic slopes, Rio Grande (Rio Con-
ception), on Socorro Mountain, above Finca San Jose", southeast of
Conception de las Minas, Steyermark 31106.— Pet^n: On tree trunk,
low forest along Rio Chinaja, north of Chinaja on trail towards
Zacatal, Steyermark 45461. — Zacapa: On rocks, oak-pine woods
along upper reaches of Rio Sitio Nuevo, between Santa Rosalia
and first waterfall, Steyermark 42235.
Sobralia fragrans Lindl. Gard. Chron. 598. 1853. S. eublepharis
Reichb. f. ex Kranzl. Repert. Sp. Nov. 26: 255. t. 78. 1929 (type:
Guatemala).
Rather common on trees in wet forests, in partial shade, where
it usually occurs in large bunches, occasionally terrestrial. Some-
what limited in distribution from Guatemala to Panama.
Plant glabrous, short, 1.8-3.5 dm. tall; stem and peduncle flattened, 2-edged,
weak, with 1-2 leaves. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acute
or acuminate, somewhat toothed at the apex, rather fleshy, chartaceous-coriaceous
FIG. 19. Sobralia decora var. aerata. Plant, upper part (about X 1A)', upper
left, column (X 1); bottom (left to right), lateral sepal, petal, dorsal sepal, lip
(X 1). A variety found in Panama. Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
67
68 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
when dry, 6.5-23.5 cm. long, 1.5-5 cm. wide. Flowers 1-2, small, terminating a
long peduncle, yellowish white, tinged with pink, fragrant, with slender pedicellate
ovaries that are 2-3 cm. long, subtended by 2-3 uneven bracts. Bracts elliptic-
lanceolate, obtuse or subacute, carinate, with whitish scarious margins, 3-5 cm.
long, 1-1.5 cm. wide. Sepals narrowly linear to oblong-lanceolate, acute or
abruptly apiculate, 3-4 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide; lateral sepals somewhat falcate.
Petals lanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, subobtuse to acute, occasionally apiculate,
slightly falcate, 3-3.8 cm. long, about 5 mm. wide. Lip obovate-cuneate, with the
lower margins entire and strongly involute, crisped and deeply fringed along the
apical, spreading-decurved margin, when spread out 2.5-3.2 cm. long, 1.5-1.8 cm.
wide; disk provided with about nine elevated lamellae that are finely fringed toward
the apex of the lip. Column semiterete, clavate, 1.6-1.8 cm. long. Capsule
cylindrical, very slender, about 6 cm. long at maturity, about 6 mm. in diameter.
Sobralia fragrans is distinctive in that its stem and peduncle are
conspicuously flattened. It is thus easily distinguished from S.
mucronata, which has a similar habit but a terete stem.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Tiirckheim 8301. Chama, Harry
Johnson 271. — Izabal: Between Milla 49.5 and ridge 6 miles from
Izabal, Montana del Mico, Steyermark 38570. Rio Dulce, between
Livingston and 6 miles up river, Steyermark 39390. Cerro San Gil,
along Rio Frio, Steyermark 39968. "Montufar Flats," Margaret
Ward Lewis 230.
Sobralia macrantha Lindl. Sert. Orch., sub t. 29. 1836.
Rather common in leaf mold on calcareous rocks in forests, in
wet soil of ravine and in sandy soil along stream banks, occasionally
epiphytic, up to 3,333 meters alt. Widespread from Mexico to
Costa Rica.
Plant tall, glabrous or tuberculate on the leaf sheaths, 4.5-21 dm. tall; stem
leafy, often growing in large clusters from the same root mass. Leaves narrowly
to broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate, spreading, rigid, 13-30 cm. long, 2-7.5 cm.
wide. Inflorescence consisting of a solitary flower that is subtended by a large
foliaceous bract. Bract narrowly lanceolate, carinate, membranous, with scarious
margins, up to 13 cm. long. Flower very large, rose-purple, showy, with stout
arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are about 2.5 cm. long. Sepals linear-oblong,
subacute or acute, minutely apiculate, recurved, 8-10.2 cm. long, 1.5-2.6 cm. wide.
Petals oblong-obovate, broadly rounded and inconspicuously mucronate at the
apex, with the margins undulate-crisped above the middle, 6.5-9 cm. long, 2.3-4
cm. wide near the apex. Lip very large, the lower half forming a laterally com-
pressed tube around the column, rotundate and deeply bilobed at the apex,
expanding and undulate-crisped along the margins above the middle, white on
the inside of the tubular basal portion, tinged with yellow in the center; when
spread out broadly oblong-obovate, 8-11 cm. long, about 7 cm. wide above the
middle. Column 3-3.5 cm. long, slender-clavate. Capsule elongate-fusiform,
recurved, 6-angled, about 11.5 cm. long and 2 cm. in diameter.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 69
This species has the most attractive flowers of any of the sobralias
occurring in Guatemala. Several horticultural varieties have been
found in Guatemala; namely, "S. macrantha pallida," which has
large, pale flowers about 18 cm. across; S. macrantha var. albida,
with whitish flowers; and "S. macrantha splendens," which has smaller
and darker flowers than those of the species. This species is com-
monly known as "Candelaria," "Cebollin," and "lirio."
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2462. — Baja Verapaz: Fatal,
Standley 69559. Rocky hills near and above Santa Rosa, in pine-
oak forest, Standley 91053. — Chimaltenango(?) : Santa Maria de
Jesus, J. R. Johnston 922. — El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, hills
north of Finca Piamonte, between Finca Piamonte and summit of
Volcan Santa Luisa, Steyermark 43615. — Escuintla: Escuintla, J. R.
Johnston 1316. — Guatemala: Guatemala, S. Hayes. — Huehuete-
nango : Paso del Boqueron, along Rio Trapichillo, below La Libertad,
Steyermark 51195. — Retalhuleu: Finca Helvetia, W. C. Muenscher
12442. — San Marcos: Above Finca El Porvenir, along Rio Cabus
to within 2 miles of Cueva de las Palomas, south-facing slopes of
Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37936. — Santa Rosa: Estanzuela,
Heyde & Lux 3861. — Solola: Trail between slopes of Volcan Santa
Clara and town of San Pedro, Steyermark 47119. — Suchitepequez :
Southwestern slopes of Volcan Zunil, between Finca Asturias and
Finca Alto Mira, northeast of Pueblo Nuevo, Steyermark 35331. —
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along Rillito del Volcan de Monos,
Volcan de Monos, Steyermark 42337. — Road from Santa Maria to
Quezaltenango, Margaret Ward Lewis 162.
The following collections are sterile or in fruit but probably
represent this species: Alta Verapaz: Terrestrial, Cerro Tortuga
(Sahacoc), vicinity of Cubilguitz, Steyermark 44611. On mossy
hummock, large swamp east of Tactic, Standley 92658. — Chiquimula:
On rocky slopes near summit, Cerro Tixixi (Tishishi), 3-5 miles
north of Jacotan, Steyermark 31657. — Huehuetenango: Covering
slopes of barranco and growing by the thousands of plants for
several acres, associated with Quercus-Pinus, Cerro Victoria, across
river from Finca San Rafael, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
49618.
Sobralia mucronata Ames & C. Schweinf. Sched. Orch. 8: 54.
1925.
Epiphyte in dense forests, up to 600 meters alt. Very rare in
Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
70 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant glabrous, erect, 2.6-9 dm. tall; stem leafy, slender, mostly concealed
by leaf sheaths. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, with 2 or
more teeth at the apex, 4-18 cm. long, 1-3.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence comprising
1-2 flowers that arise in the axil of the uppermost leaf, subtended by several im-
bricating bracts. Bracts conduplicate, lanceolate, 2 or more toothed at the apex,
up to 4.5 cm. long. Flowers small for the genus, pale green or yellowish-white,
with slender pedicellate ovaries that are about 3 cm. long. Sepals and petals
subacute or acute, mucronate. Dorsal sepal linear-oblong, 2.6-3.8 cm. long, 5-7
mm. wide. Lateral sepals slightly obliquely elliptic-oblong to narrowly oblong,
2.5-3.8 cm. long, 6.5-7.5 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblong to narrowly oblanceolate,
slightly falcate, 2.3-3.5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. wide. Lip in natural position tubular-
involute near the base, when spread out broadly oblong-elliptic or quadrate-oblong,
2.5-3 cm. long, 1.1-1.5 cm. wide above the middle, entire, retuse or apiculate at
the broadly rounded apex, anterior margins strongly undulate-crisped and some-
what crenulate; disk with 2 short calli at the base and several more or less con-
spicuous keels extending from the base nearly to the apex of the lip (these keels
are supplemented above the middle of the disk by the central 5-7 nerves that
become similarly carinate; all of the keels become conspicuously sinuate and
raised above the middle of the lip). Column slender-clavate, with prominent
lateral wings on the anterior surface, apex 3-lobed, with the lateral lobes erect,
linear-falcate and incurved, the middle lobe suborbicular and strongly galeate.
Capsule slender, elongate, up to 9 cm. long when mature.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 8294.
Sobralia xantholeuca Hort. ex Williams, Orch. Grow. Man.
ed. 6: 576. 1885.
Uncommon, epiphytic on trees and on rocks up to 1,550 meters
alt. Thus far found only in Guatemala.
Plant up to 18 dm. tall, glabrous; stem rather stout, leafy, covered with leaf-
sheaths that are pale green speckled with red-brown. Leaves articulate with the
sheaths, oblong-lanceolate, long-acuminate, spreading and drooping, 15-28 cm.
long, 3-7 cm. wide below the middle. Bracts narrowly lanceolate, carinate, with
scarious margins, up to 14 cm. long. Flowers solitary, terminal, large and showy,
yellow, subsessile. Sepals oblong-elliptic to linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate,
spreading and recurved, 8-11 cm. long, 1.7-2.3 cm. wide. Petals similar to the
sepals but somewhat shorter. Lip large, 8-11 cm. long, the lower half forming a
cylindrical tube around the column, rotundate and notched at the apex, expanding
above with broad recurved, crisply waved crenate margins, the tubular throat
golden streaked with dark yellow. Column slender-clavate, about 3.5 cm. long.
The large yellow flowers, which are about the size of those of
S. macrantha, and the maculate leaf-sheaths easily distinguish this
species from its allies.
Alta Verapaz: San Cristobal, Turckheim 131. Coban, Turckheim
2477. — Huehuetenango: Epiphyte, dense rich wet woods between
Yulhuitz and Maxbal, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48677.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 71
The following specimen, in poor condition, probably represents
this species: Huehuetenango: On rocky limestone jagged forested
slopes northeast of Maxbal, about 17 miles north of Barillas, Sierra
de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48896.
9. CRYBELindl.
Terrestrial herbs with suborbicular, green corms on which the leafy stems
and inflorescences are borne separately at the apex. Raceme 3-6-flowered.
Flowers purplish red, nodding, with arcuate-decurved pedicellate ovaries, clavate-
obovoid in appearance; perianth scarcely or not expanding. Sepals unequal, free.
Petals similar to the lateral sepals, free. Lip adnate to the base of the column,
obovate-cuneate, cucullate, retuse with an apicule in the sinus. Column long,
erect, clavate; anther 2-celled; pollinia 4, mealy, 2 in each anther-cell. Capsule
ellipsoidal.
This monotypic genus is confined to Middle America.
Crybe rosea Lindl. Nat. Syst. Bot. ed. 2: 446. 1836. Arethusa
rosea (Lindl.) Benth. ex Hemsl. in Godm. & Salvin, Biol. Centr.-
Am. 3: 304. 1884. Figure 20.
Uncommon in sandy soil and loam in pine-oak forests, also on
lava rock and on the edge of deep ravines, up to 2,000 meters alt.
Apparently confined to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant glabrous; stem short, 7-15 cm. tall, terminated by two leaves and
another leaf sheathing below. Leaves oblong-elliptic to linear-lanceolate, acute or
acuminate, prominently veined, the terminal leaf reduced at the base to a slender
petiole, 8-42 cm. long, 1.5-6 cm. wide. Inflorescence a 3-6 flowered raceme
terminating a slender peduncle, up to 15 cm. long; peduncle 1.1-4 dm. tall, provided
with several distant scarious bracts. Bracts short, triangular or slender-acuminate,
5-15 mm. long. Flowers with pedicellate ovaries that are 1-3 cm. long. Sepals
oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, recurved at the apex, tuberculate-maculate with
purple on the dorsal surface above the middle, the central veins carinate at the
apex on the ventral surface, 2.7-3.5 cm. long, 6-7 mm. wide; the lateral sepals
obliquely falcate. Petals oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, falcate, white tinged
with purple, 2.9-3.3 cm. long, 6.5-7 mm. wide. Lip strongly involute enclosing
the column, the lower half strongly cucullate, the dilated apical portion with the
margins folded, undulate-crenate, 3.5-5 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide above the middle;
disk with the three central veins slightly carinate. Column somewhat recurved,
with two lateral auricles on the anterior surface near the middle. Capsule ellipsoid-
oblong, 2-4.5 cm. long, about 1 cm. in diameter.
Chimaltenango : J. R. Johnston 1983. — Huehuetenango: Oak-
pine woods on steep rocky slopes above La Libertad, on Cerro Pueblo
Viejo, Steyermark 50979; 51005. Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso
Ixtahuacan, Steyermark 50620. — Jalapa: Rocky scrub-oak forest on
FIG. 20. Crybe rosea. Flowering plant (X
completed by D. E. Tibbitts.
Sketched by G. W. Dillon;
72
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 73
hills northeast of Jalapa, Standley 76846. Under rocks in quebrada,
brushy oak slopes of Cerro Alcoba, east of Jalapa, Standley 77221.—
Quezaltenango: San Martin, J. R. Johnston 1315. — Santa Rosa:
Heyde & Lux 3862 (in part). — Solola: Trail between village of San
Pedro, via San Juan, San Cristobal Buena Vista, and northwestern
slopes of Volcan Santa Clara, Steyermark 47304. — On banks along
Antigua to Guatemala City road, John Porter 35. — Near Incienso
Aserradero de San Vicente, Margaret W. Lewis 205. — Au Felswanden
au den "Siidgehangen" des Vulcans Sta. Maria, haufig, Lehmann
1616.
[ 10. WULLSCHLAEGELIA Reichb. f.
Terrestrial, leafless herbs. Stem erect, simple, slender, provided with several
short scarious cuspidate scales. Roots fasciculate, fibrous, caudate, somewhat
thickened. Flowers small, short-pedicelled, in a loose or dense raceme. Sepals
thin, erect; lateral sepals connivent and produced at the base into a short mentum.
Petals small, similar to the dorsal sepal. Lip on the upper side of the flower, sessile
at the base of the column, erect, broadly cymbiform, entire, saccate at the base
within the mentum formed by the sepals. Column short, thick; anther erect,
sessile; pollinia powdery-granular. Capsule obovoid.
A small genus containing only three species, which are natives
of the West Indies, Central and South America.
Wullschlaegelia aphylla (Sw.) Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 131. 1863.
Cranichis aphylla Sw. Prodr. 120. 1788. Figure 21.
Saprophytic, in humus and rotten leaves of dense, dark, wet
forests, up to 600 meters alt. Rather rare in the West Indies,
Guatemala, Honduras and northern South America.
Plant 1.5-3.5 dm. tall, whitish, aphyllous; stem more or less covered with
bifurcate, articulated glandular-pubescence with a number of minute scales.
Scales triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, 3.5-5 mm. long. Raceme slender, many-
flowered, 3-13 cm. long. Bracts similar to the scales, scarious, 2-3 mm. long.
Flowers small, pale white, erect-ascending. Pedicellate ovary short, pubescent,
2-3 mm. long. Sepals pubescent with bifurcate brownish hairs; dorsal sepal
triangular-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, obtuse, concave, 1.7-2 mm. long, 0.75-1
mm. wide; lateral sepals transversely and obliquely oblong, subobtuse to acute,
connivent at the base to form a short mentum, about 3.5 mm. long to the base of
the mentum, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Petals short, elliptic-obovate to oblong-quadrate,
broadly rounded to obtuse, with bifurcate hairs along central vein on dorsal
surface, 1.75-2 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip incumbent, oblong-quadrate,
conduplicate-concave, truncate and erose at the apex, with bifurcate hairs along
the central vein on the lower surface, 3-3.2 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Column
short with a rather long foot. Capsule ellipsoid-pyriform, about 1 cm. long.
FIG. 21. Wullschlaegelia aphylla. 1, flowering and fruiting plant (from
Swartz's type; X M); 2, flower, side view, with lateral sepal pulled down and a
petal removed (about X 6) ; 3 and 4, bifurcate hairs on the plant (greatly enlarged).
Drawn by D. E. Tibbitts. Adapted from Fawcett and Rendle, Flora of Jamaica 1 :
pi. 3. 1910.
74
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 75
This species is distinctive in its saprophytism and its bifurcate
hairs, which are composed of 3 to 5 cells, one of which is the stalk,
the other 2 or 4 forming the two branches.
Izabal: Near Entre Rios, Standley 72744. Punta Palma, across
bay from Puerto Barrios, Steyermark 39861.
11. PRESCOTTIA Lindl.
Terrestrial herbs with clustered fibrous or fleshy roots from a short rhizome.
Leaves basal or essentially so, sessile or with long petioles, membranous. In-
florescence a slender or thick spike of numerous small flowers. Sepals mem-
branous, connate at the base to form a short cup or tube, spreading or revolute
at the apex. Petals narrow, adnate to the sepaline cup. Lip on the upper side
of the flower, with the claw adnate to the sepaline cup, entire, auriculate at the
base, arched, deeply concave or galeate, often enclosing the column. Column very
short, adnate to the sepaline cup. Pollinia 4, granular or powdery. Capsule small,
suberect, ovoid or ellipsoid.
This genus consists of about thirty-five species, which are natives
of tropical and subtropical America from Florida, Mexico and the
West Indies to Brazil and Ecuador.
1. Floral segments less than 2.5 mm. long P. oligantha.
1. Floral segments usually more than 3 mm. long.
2. Leaves with a distinct slender petiole about as long as the lamina; lip con-
spicuously galeate P. stachyodes.
2. Leaves tapering into a short inconspicuous petiole; lip merely involute-
concave below the middle P. tubulosa.
Prescottia oligantha (Sw.) Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 454.
1840. Cranichis oligantha Sw. Prodr. 120. 1788. Figure 22.
On mossy logs and limestone rocks on the edge of dense rain
forests, on brushy rocky banks and in clayey soil, up to 1,500 meters
alt. Widespread from southern Florida and Mexico, through Central
America to Panama, the West Indies, Colombia and Venezuela.
Plant scapose, glabrous, 1.3-3.4 dm. tall. Roots short, thick, fleshy, fascicu-
late, partly covered by a thick tomentum, 4-6 mm. in diameter. Stem slender,
purplish. Leaves radical, petioled, 1.5-7 cm. long including the petiole, reduced
above to sheathing lanceolate bracts; blade ovate-oblong to obovate, suborbicular
or elliptic, obtuse to acute, rarely apiculate, 3-4 cm. long, 1-3 cm. wide. Spike
densely flowered, slender, 2.5-8 cm. long, 5-7 mm. in diameter. Floral bracts nar-
rowly lanceolate, translucent, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers minute, white, green or
pink, less than 2.5 mm. long; perianth parts adhering at the base. Dorsal sepal
ovate, obtuse to rarely acute, 1-2 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lateral sepals
arising from a broad connate base, triangular or deltoid, somewhat concave near
the apex, obtuse or subacute, 1-2.2 mm. long, a little more than 1 mm. wide at
the base. Petals linear to narrowly obovate-spatulate, retuse, truncate to obtuse
76 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME. 26
at the apex, 1-1.5 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip erect, suborbicular, concave-
saccate, apiculate, with lateral auricles at the base, 1-1.5 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide when spread out. Column laterally winged near the apex. Capsule ellipsoid,
shallowly six-keeled, less than 5 mm. long.
This species has the smallest flowers of any Prescottia found in.
Guatemala.
Alta Verapaz: Between Coban and Finca Chimote, near Rubel-
tein, Steyermark 44157.
Prescottia stachyodes (Sw.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 22: sub t. 1916.
1836. Cranichis stachyodes Sw. Fl. Ind. Occ. 3: 1427. 1799. Pres-
cottia colorans Lindl. Bot. Reg. 22: t. 1916. 1836.
Terrestrial. Occasional on rocky banks and in dense shade of
forests, up to 3,000 meters alt. Widespread in the West Indies,
Mexico and Guatemala south to Brazil.
Plant slender or stout, glabrous, 4-9.5 dm. tall; stem purplish-brownish green,
invested by numerous loose, membranous, tubular sheaths. Leaves basal, large,
with long petioles; lamina orbicular-ovate to elliptic-oblong, abruptly acute or
acuminate at the apex, slightly asymmetrical and broadly rounded to subcordate
at the base, often with cartilaginous-serrate margins, 7-22 cm. long, 3.5-16 cm.
wide; petiole slender, narrowly winged, 3-25 cm. long. Spike long, cylindrical,
with numerous flowers, 9-31.5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. in diameter. Bracts ovate-
lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 7-20 mm. long. Flowers green,
sepals and petals often marked with reddish brown, with short stout pedicellate
ovaries. Sepals and petals strongly revolute. Dorsal sepal linear-oblong, tapering
to the obtuse or subacute apex, 3-3.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lateral sepals
united at the base; free part oblong, tapering to the obtuse apex, 3-3.2 mm. long,
about 1 mm. wide. Petals narrowly linear, obtuse, 3-3.5 mm. long, about 0.5 mm.
wide. Lip suberect, with strongly involute margins forming a subglobose galea,
laterally compressed, with an auricle on each side at the base, 4-5 mm. long, 3-4
mm. wide when spread out. Column short, subglobose, about 2 mm. long. Capsule
ellipsoid, about 1 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 8589. — El Progreso: Sierra
de las Minas, in cloud forest, hills north of Finca Piamonte, between
Finca Piamonte and summit of Volcan Santa Luisa, Steyermark
43603.— Izabal: Along Rio Frio, Cerro San Gil, Steyermark 41604.
Damp forested slopes and barrancos, Cerro San Gil, Steyermark
41872. — Jutiapa: Volcan Suchitan, northwest of Asuncion Mita,
FIG. 22. Cranichis muscosa. 1, plant (X /^); 2, flower, side view (X 5); 3,
flower, front view, partly spread open (X 5); 4, lip (X 10). Prescottia oligantha.
5, plant (X %)', 6, flower, side view, with lateral sepal and petal turned back
(X 10); 7, flower, front view (X 10); 8, flower, spread open (X 10). Drawn by
G. W. Dillon.
77
78 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Steyermark 31939. — Quezaltenango : Slopes of Volcan Santa Maria,
between Finca Pirineos and Los Positos, between Santa Maria de
Jesus and Calahuache", Steyermark 33790. — Quiche": Nebaj, Skutch
1684. — Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark 47396.
— Suchitepequez : Finca Moca, Skutch 1540. — Zacapa: Slopes of
Monte Virgen, around summit of mountain, Steyermark 42643.—
Volcan Zunil, Skutch 932.
The following specimens are sterile but probably represent this
species: San Marcos: Slopes of barrancos tributary to and bordering
Rio Vega, between San Rafael at northeast portion of Volcan Tacana
and Guatemala-Mexico line, Steyermark 36364. — Zacapa: Cloud
forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Alejandria, summit of Sierra
de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria, Steyermark 29848.
Prescottia tubulosa (Lindl.) L. 0. Wms. Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 7: 137. 1939. Cranichis tubulosa Lindl. Gen. & Sp.
Orch. PI. 451. 1840.
Rare (in our range) in damp loam and leaf mold in shade of
heavy woods, in oak-pine forests, up to 2,800 meters alt. Mexico
and Guatemala.
Plant slender or stout, 1.3-5.5 dm. tall, invested by short, membranous,
tubular sheaths. Leaves subsessile or tapering into a short, broadly winged petiole,
linear-elliptic to broadly oblanceolate, abruptly acute, 7-25 cm. long, 2.5-6.5 cm.
wide. Spike dense, cylindrical, with numerous flowers, 3-19 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm.
in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, about 1 cm. long. Flowers pale yellow,
sepals and petals usually grayish white, with short stout pedicellate ovaries. Sepals
and petals strongly recurved. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, subobtuse to acute, 6-7.5
mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united at the base; free part lanceolate,
obtuse or subacute, 4-6 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblanceolate,
subacute, 6-7 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip in natural position strongly in-
volute and with an auricle on each side at the base, recurved at the broadly obtuse,
apiculate apex, when spread out cuneate-obovate, 6.5-8 mm. long (including the
short claw), about 4 mm. wide at widest point. Column cuneate, sinuately tri-
dentate at the apex, 3-5 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, 6-8 mm. long.
Huehuetenango: Wet brushy bank near Chiantla, along the
river south and east of the town, Standley 82469. — Quezaltenango:
Cerro Quemado, Kellerman 5577; 6070.
12. CRANICHIS Sw.
Terrestrial (rarely epiphytic), scapose herbs with fasciculate, fleshy roots.
Leaves basal or radical, rarely with reduced cauline leaves. Scape slender, simple,
provided with tubular clasping sheaths. Flowers small, in a spicate raceme.
Sepals free, subequal or with the lateral pair somewhat broader and more or less
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 79
connivent. Petals free or somewhat adnate to the base of the column, spreading,
smaller than the sepals. Lip on the upper side of the flower, adnate to the middle
or base of the column, sessile or with a short claw, concave or saccate, usually
embracing the column. Column short; anther one, two-celled; pollinia four;
pollen granular-powdery. Capsule suberect, ovoid or ellipsoid.
This genus consists of about thirty species that are natives of
tropical and subtropical America. The vein-design of the lip in many
of the species is a reliable diagnostic character.
1. Bracts of the scape broad and foliaceous, gradually reduced in size above.
C. muscosa.
1. Bracts of the scape narrow, abruptly reduced in size above.
2. Claw of the lip attached near the middle of the column, cordate-triangular.
C. Schaffneri.
2. Claw of the lip attached to the base of the column.
3. Claw of the lip S- or C-shaped C. mexicana.
3. Claw of the lip straight.
4. Lip with a conspicuous apicule at the apex C. apiculata.
4. Lip not apiculate.
5. Lip deeply cucullate-saccate at the base; lateral sepals prominently
oblique C. cucullata.
5. Lip shallowly concave or cymbiform; lateral sepals only slightly
oblique.
6. Petals ciliate.
7. Lip orbiculate; mid-stripe of disk extending beyond the lateral
stripes and branching at the apex of the lip C. ciliata.
7. Lip narrowly ovate; mid-stripe of disk not as above.
8. Petals obtuse; lip obtuse, less than 2.7 mm. long.
C. hieroglyphica.
8. Petals acuminate; lip acute or acuminate, more than 2.7 mm.
long C. Wageneri.
6. Petals not ciliate (or obscurely so in C. diphylla).
9. Lip cymbiform, subquadrate when spread out, the margins
strongly revolute above the middle C. sylvatica.
9. Lip orbiculate, the margins not revolute C. diphylla.
Cranichis apiculata Lindl. in Benth. PL Hartw. 92. 1842
(type: Guatemala, in summo jugo inter Duenas et Acatenango, ad
pedem montis ignivomi, T. Hartweg 624). C. cylindrica Ames in
J. D. Smith, Enum. PL Guatem. 7: 49. 1905, nomen.
Shady soil in oak forests, up to 2,700 meters alt. Uncommon in
Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant glabrous throughout, with several scarious sheaths enclosing the leaves
and scape at the base, 3.5-4.7 dm. tall. Leaves basal, with a slender, narrowly
winged petiole; lamina oval-elliptic to suborbicular, abruptly acute or apiculate,
broadly rounded or abruptly reduced into the petiole at the base, 8.5-13 cm.
long, 4.5-6.5 cm. wide; petiole 8-11 cm. long. Raceme cylindrical, flowers close
together, 7.5-15 cm. long, about 2.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
5-9 mm. long. Flowers white and green, marked with brown, with slender pedicel-
80 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
late ovaries that are 8-10 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic, obtuse, 4-4.5 mm. long,
1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals broadly elliptic, obtuse to subapiculate, concave,
3.5-4 mm. long, 2-2.2 mm. wide. Petals narrowly oblanceolate-spatulate, sub-
truncate to obtuse, with the margins minutely undulate-crenulate, 3.5-4 mm.
long, about 1 mm. wide near the apex. Lip in natural position cymbiform, con-
stricted at the apex to form a broad apicule, the margins conspicuously revolute,
when spread out 3.5-4 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide; disk adorned with brown,
branching cross lines. Column small, about 2 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, about
8 mm. long.
Cranichis apiculata is easily identified by the conspicuous apicule
at the apex of the lip.
Chiquimula: Montana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of Camotan,
Steyermark 31701. — Jalapa: Laguna de Ayarza, Heyde &Lux 3859.—
Santa Rosa: La Vinas, Heyde & Lux 6246. Malpais, Heyde & Lux
6246.— Calderas, J. R. Johnston 1403; 1117; 1118; 1577 (in part).—
Volcan Zunil, Skutch 923.
Cranichis ciliata (HBK.) Kunth, Syn. PL Aeq. 1: 324. 1822.
Ophrys ciliata HBK. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PL 1: 334, t. 74. 1815.
In leaf mold and deep humus of heavily shaded woods, on moist
open banks and in thickets, up to 2,400 meters alt. Uncommon in
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica, south to Venezuela.
Plant glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above, slender; scape purplish.
Leaves basal, with narrowly winged petioles; lamina somewhat variegated, ovate,
ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, abruptly acute or acuminate, broadly rounded to
subcordate at the base, oblique, 5-12 cm. long, 2.3-7 cm. wide; petiole 7.5-14 cm.
long, purplish. Raceme narrow, cylindrical, with few or many flowers, 4-15 cm.
long, about 2 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 5-8 mm. long.
Flowers white, marked with green or purple-brown, with pedicellate ovaries that
are about 9 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic to elliptic-oblong, obtuse, the margins
involute, 3.8-4.2 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely
ovate-elliptic or elliptic, obtuse and minutely cucullate at the apex, 3-4.2 mm.
long, 2-2.2 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, the margins ciliate,
slightly falcate, 3-4 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide above the middle. Lip sessile,
in natural position concave, the margins turned upward, when spread out sub-
orbicular-obovate or orbicular, broadly rounded at the apex, 2.5-4 mm. long,
2-3.5 mm. wide; disk with three parallel green or brownish stripes, the mid-stripe
extending beyond the apex of the lateral stripes and breaking up into branching
stripes near the apex of the lip. Column 1.5-2 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, 8-9 mm.
long.
Cranichis ciliata is distinguished from closely allied species,
particularly C. sylvatica, by its orbiculate lip and the mid-stripe of
the disk, which extends beyond the lateral stripes and branches
near the apex.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 81
Alta Verapaz: Vicinity of Secanquim, Maxon & Hay 3208a.—
Chimaltenango: Above Las Calderas, Standley 60076. Region of
Los Positos, above Las Calderas, Standley 80233. Chimaltenango,
J. R. Johnston. — Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas,
Standley 58493. Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between San Francisco
Sales and the base of the active cone, Standley 80740; 80753. Pacaya,
J. R. Johnston. Las Nubes, Wendland (fide Hemsley).
Cranichis cucullata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 14: 115. 1915.
Moist, mossy banks in dry oak-pine forests, wooded valleys, up
to 2,200 meters alt. Very rare in Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador.
Plant slender, glabrous below, sparingly puberulent above, 2.1-3.2 dm. tall.
Leaves basal, with slender, winged petioles; lamina ovate to narrowly elliptic,
acute, slightly oblique, subtruncate or tapering into the petiole at the base, varie-
gated, 3-6 cm. long, 1.4-3 cm. wide; petiole 0.7-3 cm. long. Raceme very lax,
composed of 4-15 scattered flowers, 3.5-7.5 cm. long. Bracts elliptic-lanceolate,
acuminate, 6-8 mm. long. Flowers white, marked with red-brown, with slender
pedicellate ovaries that are about 10 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong,
obtuse to subacute, 4.2-5 mm. long, about 2.2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals conspic-
uously oblique, ovate-deltoid, broadly obtuse to subacute, concave, the posterior
margin broadly subauriculate at the base, 4.5-5 mm. long, about 3.5 mm. wide
at the base. Petals linear-elliptic to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse or broadly rounded
at the apex, slightly falcate, 4-4.5 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Lip sessile,
in natural position deeply cucullate at the base, slightly recurved and narrowed
above the middle to the broadly obtuse or subacute apex, 4-5 mm. long; when
spread out broadly ovate; disk with three prominent brownish-red veins in the
center, the lateral veins giving rise to short spreading veins, the center vein dis-
appearing near the center of the lip. Column 2-2.5 mm. long. Capsule obliquely
cylindrical, about 1.3 cm. long.
Cranichis cucullata is distinguished by its deeply cucullate lip and
conspicuously oblique lateral sepals.
Huehuetenango: Moss-covered bank of crumbling serpentine
rock in dry oak-pine woods, Skutch 1642.
Cranichis diphylla Sw. Prodr. 120. 1788. C. guatemalensis
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 129. 1906 (type: Guatemala, auf Felsen
bei Chiacam, H. von Turckheim 1379).
On rocks, mossy stumps and logs in densely shaded forests, up
to 3,000 meters alt. Uncommon but widespread in the West Indies,
Mexico and Central America.
Plant slender, glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above, 1-3.8 dm. tall.
Leaves basal, with slender petioles; lamina ovate, oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate,
acute or acuminate at the apex, truncate or subcordate at the base, 2.5-9 cm.
82 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
long, 1.5-4.2 cm. wide; petiole 2-8.5 cm. long. Raceme slender, dense or lax
with few or many flowers, 2-10 cm. long, 1.3-2 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceo-
late, acuminate, 3-8 mm. long. Flowers small, white or greenish white, with
slender pedicellate ovaries that are about 5 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic,
obtuse, concave, 2.5-3.8 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals slightly
oblique, ovate, obtuse, 3-3.5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Petals elliptic-oblong to
narrowly oblanceolate, obtuse, 3-3.2 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip sessile,
in natural position concave; when spread out orbicular-ovate or suborbicular,
broadly obtuse to subacute, 2.5-3 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide; disk with several
irregular green-dotted lines. Column short, 1-1.5 mm. long.
Cranichis diphylla is different from nearly allied species in that
its petals are eciliate and the small lip is of an orbicular-ovate type.
This species is represented from Guatemala only by the type
collection of C. guatemalensis.
Cranichis hieroglyphica Ames & Correll in Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 61. pi. 2. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Gua-
temala, terrestrial, near San Rafael, road to Antigua, about 6,000
feet alt., September 8, 1935, Margaret Ward Lewis 154). Figure 23.
Terrestrial in mountain forests, usually at high elevations, up to
2,400 meters alt. Apparently confined to Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant solitary, erect or geniculate at the base, 2.5-4.5 dm. tall. Stem slender,
pubescent with whitish articulated hairs, provided with several short tubular
acuminate bracts, 2-3 mm. in diameter. Leaves two, basal and subopposite,
spreading on the ground, enclosed at the base by two or more scarious clasping
sheaths; petiole winged, 2-4.5 cm. long; lamina oblique, elliptic to ovate-elliptic,
acute to abruptly acuminate, 4.5-11.5 cm. long, 2.7-5.5 cm. wide, succulent,
glabrous, silvery green and glossy beneath, dark-veined above with a reticulate
pattern over a dull silvery green background. Raceme compact, composed of
twenty to thirty small white flowers that blossom in close succession, cylindrical,
2.5-3.5 cm. long, about 2 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts white, lanceolate, acumi-
nate, 5-6 mm. long. Flowers with stout puberulent pedicellate ovaries. Sepals
ovate-elliptic, narrowly obtuse to subacuminate, 1- to 2-nerved, concave, 2.5-3.1
mm. long, 1.3-1.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals somewhat
oblique, linear-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, obtuse, 1-nerved, ciliate along the
margins with long whitish hairs, finely hirsute through the center near the base,
2-2.5 mm. long, about 0.7 mm. wide. Lip sessile, subquadrate-ovate, narrowly
obtuse, angled on each side at the base, concave, 2-2.5 mm. long, 1.3-1.5 mm.
wide; disk adorned with somewhat thickened green stripes, with a short central
stripe and two subhorizontal stripes, one on each side, which converge toward the
middle, with a deeply U-shaped stripe on each side at the base. Column short,
terete, about 1.5 mm. long.
Cranichis hieroglyphica is most closely related to C. Wageneri
Reichb. f. However, besides having smaller flowers, the floral seg-
ments of C. hieroglyphica are comparatively blunt as compared with
CR.ANICHI.S
fu/ofa i
er-oou/o c o.
FIG. 23. Cranichis hieroglyphica. 1, plant (X 1A); 2, flower, spread open
(X 10); 3, flower, side view (X 6); 4, lip and column, side view (X 10); 5, lip,
spread out (X 10). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
83
84 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
the narrowly acuminate floral segments of C. Wageneri. Although
the petals of both species are ciliate, those of C. hieroglyphica are
obtuse while those of C. Wageneri are long-acuminate. The shape
of the lip and the pattern of the venation are different in the species.
The lip of C. Wageneri is narrowly ovate to subcordate and acuminate.
The stripe design is composed of three parallel green or brownish
stripes with the lateral stripes producing retrorse secondary stripes.
The lip of C. hieroglyphica is subquadrate-ovate and obtuse. The
stripe design, from which the name is derived, is a peculiar pattern.
The design of green stripes is composed of a short central stripe with
additional subhorizontal stripes, one on each side, which converge
toward the middle, and has a deeply U-shaped stripe on each side
near the base. The stripes are somewhat thickened.
Chiquimula: Upper slopes of Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of
El Barriol, Steyermark 30816. — Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, above
Las Calderas, Standley 58432.
Cranichis mexicana (A. Rich. & Gal.) Schltr. Beih. Bot. Cen-
tralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 430. 1918. Ocampoa mexicana A. Rich. & Gal.
Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3, 3: 31. 1845.
In loamy sands and calcareous soils on slopes of oak-pine forests,
up to 2,150 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant rather stout, glabrous below, densely glandular-pubescent above, 2.9-
7 dm. tall. Leaves basal, with one or more reduced leaves above the base, with
broadly winged petioles; lamina oblong-elliptic to broadly oblanceolate, acute,
tapering into the petiole at the base, 9-21 cm. long (including petiole), 2.5-5 cm.
wide. Raceme densely flowered, compact, cylindrical, 7-19 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm.
in diameter. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, about 10 mm. long. Flowers
white or pale green. Sepals glandular-pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal
sepal ovate-lanceolate, subobtuse, slightly concave, 5-6 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals obliquely triangular-lanceolate, obtuse or subacute, extended at
the base on the posterior margin into a semiorbicular auricle, 6-7.5 mm. long,
3-4 mm. wide at the base. Petals linear, broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex,
about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Lip with an S- or C-shaped claw, in natural
position deeply concave, constricted about the middle and arcuate-recurved above
the middle, the margins upturned, when spread out ovate-oval or oval, broadly
rounded and minutely cucullate at the apex, 5-6 mm. long, about 4 mm. wide;
disk with several green lines. Column short, with 2 broad wings on the anterior
margin, 3-4 mm. long.
Cranichis mexicana is easily distinguished from the other species
of Cranichis found in Guatemala by the S- or C-shaped claw of the
lip.
Chimaltenango: Tecpam, Johnston 1402. Barranco de La Sierra,
southeast of Patzum, Standley 61590.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 85
Cranichis muscosa Sw. Prodr. 120. 1788. Figure 22.
Moist rocks in streams and on banks in wet mountain forests,
up to 1,300 meters alt. Widespread in southern Florida, Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahama Islands, the West Indies,
Trinidad and Venezuela.
Plant scapose, 9-44 cm. tall. Roots fleshy, coarsely fibrous, fasciculate.
Scape slender, tinged with madder-purple. Leaves four to six, radical, petioled,
reduced above to sheathing ovate to lanceolate leaf-like bracts; blade subcordate,
broadly ovate, elliptic or oblong, obtuse to acute, 2.5-9.5 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm.
wide; petiole winged, 1-4 cm. long. Raceme few- to many-flowered, 1.5-13 cm.
long, 1.5-2.3 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate,
3-5 mm. long. Flowers white. Sepals ovate to oblong-elliptic, abruptly acute to
obtuse, 2-3 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblong to oblong-spatulate,
obtuse, 2-3 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide. Lip white, spotted with green, erect,
sessile, suborbicular or oblong-quadrate, concave, rarely mucronate, with entire
undulate margins, tuberculose or slightly crested along the three median veins
of the disk, 2-3 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Column slightly winged, about 1 mm.
long. Capsule essentially sessile, 7-10 mm. long, ovoid.
The foliaceous bracts of the scape easily distinguish this species
from all other species of Cranichis found in Guatemala.
Suchitepequez : Southwestern slopes of Volcan Zunil, in vicinity
of Finca Montecristo, southeast of Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark
35224.
Cranichis Schaffneri Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 238. 1855.
In oak-pine woods, in leaf mold and on trees in oak forests, on
damp banks and in pockets of rocks in the open, up to 2,700 meters
alt. Rare in Guatemala, widespread in Mexico.
Plant glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above, erect or suberect, 0.9-4 dm.
tall. Leaves basal, sessile or on a very short petiole; lamina ovate to narrowly
elliptic, broadly rounded to acute, 3-9.5 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide; petiole up to
3 cm. long. Raceme lax, few-flowered, 3-14 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. in diameter.
Bracts ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers ascending, greenish
white, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are about 8 mm. long. Sepals glandular-
pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal elliptic to lanceolate, obtuse or acute,
3.5-6 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-elliptic, concave,
obtuse to subacute, occasionally somewhat united at the base, 3.2-5.5 mm. long,
2-3 mm. wide. Petals linear to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse or broadly rounded
at the apex, somewhat falcate, 3-6 mm. long, 0.5-1.2 mm. wide. Lip attached to
about the middle of the column, cordate-triangular or obscurely 3-lobed, shallowly
concave, obtuse or acute, with a stout, short claw, 2.3-4 mm. long, 1.5-3.5 mm.
wide. Column short, 1.5-2 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, about 8 mm. long.
In Guatemala this species is the only Cranichis whose lip is at-
tached near the middle of the column.
86 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Huehuetenango: San Juan Atitlan, Skutch 1173. — Jalapa: Moun-
tains about Chahuite, northwest of Jalapa, Standley 77483 (in part).
Cranichis sylvatica A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se"r. 3, 3:
30. 1845. C. pseudociliata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 12: 202. 1913
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, auf Felsen im Walde bei
Secanquim, January, 1905, W. R. Maxon & R. Hay 3208; December,
1904, G. P. Goll 205).
In wet soil and on rocks in shady or open forests, up to 2,500
meters alt. Rare in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant slender, glabrous below, slightly pubescent above, 0.8-5 dm. tall. Leaves
basal, with slender, winged petioles; lamina orbicular-ovate to oval-elliptic,
abruptly acute or subapiculate, subtruncate or tapering at the base, somewhat
oblique and variegated, 2-12 cm. long, 1.2-4.8 cm. wide; petiole 0.5-7 cm. long.
Raceme of few or many flowers close together, 1.5-11 cm. long, 1.5-2.5 cm. in
diameter. Bracts ovate-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 5-8 mm.
long. Flowers white marked with green, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are
6-10 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic, subobtuse to acute, 3.4-5 mm. long, about
1.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely ovate, obtuse or subacute,
3-5 mm. long, 2-3.2 mm. wide. Petals elliptic-oblong to narrowly oblanceolate,
broadly rounded to subacute at the apex, slightly falcate, occasionally obscurely
ciliate on the margins, 3-4.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip in natural position
cymbiform or deeply concave, arched, spreading, with the margins revolute above
the middle; when spread out subquadrate, broadest above the middle, subtruncate
to subacute at the apex, 3-5 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide; disk with three parallel
dotted green lines, with the center line disappearing near the center of the lip.
Column white, thickened above and occasionally obscurely 3-lobed, 2-2.5 mm.
long.
Cranichis sylvatica differs from nearly allied species by its cymbi-
form lip, which is subquadrate when spread out.
Alta Verapaz: Vicinity of Secanquim, W. R. Maxon & R. Hay
3208; 3119. Trail to Secanquim, G. P. Goll 205.— Chiquimula:
Montana Castilla, vicinity of Montana Cebollas, along Rio Lucia,
3 miles southeast of Quezaltepeque, Steyermark 31271. At base of
trees, summit of cloud forest, Montana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of
Camotan, Steyermark 31701. — Zacapa: Bordering Quebrada Ale-
jandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria,
Steyermark 29849.
Cranichis Wageneri Reichb. f. Linnaea 41: 19. 1876. C. sub-
cordata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 130. 1906 (type: Guatemala,
auf einem alten Baumstamme bei Pansamala, January, 1887,
H. von Turckheim 1113).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 87
In wet woods in leaf mold or on rotten stumps, rarely upon trees,
in moist thickets and on rocky banks, up to 1,650 meters alt. Un-
common in the West Indies, Mexico, through Central America to
Colombia and Venezuela.
Plant glabrous below, sparingly pubescent above, 1.2-3 dm. tall. Leaves
basal, subsessile or with a short petiole; lamina ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute
or acuminate, broadly rounded to subcordate at the base, somewhat oblique,
2.5-11.5 cm. long, 2-6.2 cm. wide; petiole 0.8-5.5 cm. long. Bracts lanceolate,
acuminate, 5-6 mm. long. Flowers greenish white or reddish brown, with pedicel-
late ovaries that are 6-8 mm. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate,
acuminate, 4-4.2 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
ciliate along the margins, somewhat falcate, 3-4 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide.
Lip in natural position arched, deeply concave-channeled, incurved at the apex,
subsessile or with a short, broad claw, when spread out subcordate to narrowly
ovate, acute or acuminate, rarely narrowly obtuse, 3-4 mm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm.
wide near the base; disk with three parallel green or brownish stripes, the mid-
stripe disappearing near the center of the lip, the lateral stripes producing several
retrorse secondary stripes. Column about 1.5 mm. long.
Cranichis Wageneri is distinctive in that its floral segments are
narrowly acuminate and the narrowly lanceolate petals are copiously
ciliate. The stripe design on the disk of the lip is also helpful in
determining the species.
Chiquimula: Volcan Ipala, near Amatillo, Steyermark 30497.
. 13. PONTHIEVA R. Br.
Terrestrial, scapose herbs with fleshy or somewhat fibrous roots and basal
leaves that are subsessile or long-petioled, glabrous to pilose. Inflorescence a
lax or subdense raceme of small flowers. Dorsal sepal and petals often adherent
at the apex. Sepals free or the lateral ones slightly united at the base, spreading.
Petals attached above the middle of the column, very oblique, spreading. Lip
on the upper side of the flower, adnate to the column by its unguiculate base,
abruptly dilated and ascending. Column short; anther one, two-celled; pollinia
four, powdery-granular. Capsule suberect, ovoid or ellipsoid.
In this genus there are about twenty-five species that are found
in the warmer regions of the Western Hemisphere from southeastern
Virginia to Chile, including Mexico, Central America and the West
Indies.
1. Entire plant (including leaves) densely glandular- villose P. maculala.
1. Entire plant not as above; leaves glabrous or nearly so.
2. Lip auriculate or auriculate-cordate at the base.
3. Petals attached to the apex of the column, transversely falciform.
P. Tuerckheimii.
3. Petals attached below the middle of the column, obliquely ovate-triangular.
P. parvula.
88 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
2. Lip not auriculate or cordate at the base.
4. Lip triangular or suborbicular, terminated by an obtuse or acute apicule.
5. Lip more than 4 mm. long, ecallose at the base of the disk; petals
mostly ciliate along the margins P. racemosa.
5. Lip less than 3.8 mm. long, with a pair of small calli at the base of the
disk; petals not ciliate along the margins P. Ephippium.
4. Lip elliptic or conspicuously 3-lobed above the middle.
6. Lip about 6 mm. long P. pulchella.
6. Lip 4 mm. or less long P. triloba.
Ponthieva Ephippium Reichb. f. Linnaea 28: 382. 1856.
In very damp and shaded soil and in grass under pine trees, up
to 2,500 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
and Panama.
Plant slender, glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above, 1-3.7 dm. tall.
Leaves basal, with short, winged petioles, ovate to oblong-obovate, acute, 3-12
cm. long (including petiole), 2-3.8 cm. wide. Raceme of few or many scattered
flowers, 4-15 cm. long. Bracts elliptic, acute or apiculate, about 1 cm. long.
Flowers white, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 1-2 cm. long. Dorsal
sepal elliptic-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, 6.5-7 mm. long,
about 2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals broadly ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse,
somewhat oblique, glandular-pubescent on the outer surface, 6.2-7 mm. long,
3.5-4 mm. wide. Petals semihastate-triangular, obtuse, with a short claw, sinuate
along the outer margin, 4-6 mm. long (including the claw), about 2.5 mm. wide
at the base. Lip with a short, laterally winged claw, triangular to suborbicular-
quadrate, truncate or subtruncate and obtusely apiculate at the apex, maculate,
entire lip 3-3.5 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide; apicule about 1 mm. long; disk with
2 small calli at the base. Column short, about 2.5 mm. long. Capsule obliquely
fusiform, about 12 mm. long.
Ponthieva Ephippium is closely allied to P. triloba, from which
it is distinguished by its more orbiculate lip and by the prominently
hastate base of the petals.
Santa Rosa: Cenaguilla, Heyde & Lux 3865.
Ponthieva maculata Lindl. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 15: 385.
1845.
Epiphytic on trees or occasionally terrestrial in damp forests,
up to 2,500 meters alt. Widespread but not common in Mexico,
Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.
Plant glandular- villose throughout, up to 3 dm. tall; roots thick, fleshy,
fasciculate. Leaves basal, sessile or petiolate, ovate-lanceolate to oblanceolate
or elliptic-lanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, 7-28 cm. long, 1.5-5 cm. wide.
Raceme laxly flowered, up to 12 cm. long. Floral bracts elliptic-lanceolate, acumi-
nate, concave, 1-2 cm. long. Flowers large for the genus, variously colored.
Sepals and petals bronze-colored. Sepals glandular on the inner surface; dorsal
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 89
sepal elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute, 9-13 mm. long, about 5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals broadly elliptic to suborbicular, obtuse to broadly rounded at the
apex, somewhat oblique, 9-12 mm. long, 5-8 mm. wide. Petals with a short
claw, obliquely ovate-elliptic, obtuse, 7-9 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide at base of
lamina. Lip small, fleshy, subsessile, scoop-shaped, dark red or greenish red
marked with white or cream-color, 2-4 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide when spread
open, when spread out subquadrate to obovate and apiculate, with a sulcate
thickening at the base. Column clavate, about 4 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid,
1.5-2 cm. long.
This species may be distinguished from other species of Ponthieva
found in Guatemala by its densely glandular-pubescent leaves, stem
and inflorescence. No specimen has been seen from Guatemala.
However, since its area of distribution includes Guatemala, it is
included here. There is no doubt that with further exploration it
will be found to occur in our region.
Ponthieva parvula Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 394. 1912
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, in rupium fissuris prope
Coban, December, 1879, H. von Turckheim 484).
In rock crevices, up to 1,600 meters alt. Guatemala.
Plant small, erect, glabrous below, sparsely glandular-puberulent above,
7.5-9 cm. tall. Leaves several, basal, with a short petiole; lamina elliptic, obtuse
to subacute, rounded at the base, 1.6-1.9 cm. long, 0.5-0.7 cm. wide; petiole about
7 mm. long. Raceme few-flowered. Bracts ovate, acuminate. Flowers small,
erect-spreading or suberect. Sepals glabrous, about 2.75 mm. long; dorsal sepal
oblong-elliptic, obtuse; lateral sepals obliquely ovate-triangular, obtuse. Petals
with a short subduplicate claw, very oblique at the base, ovate-triangular, obtuse
or broadly rounded at the apex, conspicuously dilated at the base on the outer
margin, about 2.7 mm. long (including the claw). Lip with a short linear claw,
suborbicular, with a small obtuse, recurved lobe at the apex, auriculate-cordate
at the base, concave at the base of the disk, lateral margins upturned or involute,
about as long as the petals, about 2.25 mm. wide at the middle. Column short.
Capsule small, clavate, glandular-puberulent, about 4 mm. long.
This species is recognizable by its small flowers and the conspic-
uous auriculate-cordate base of the lip.
Ponthieva parvula is represented only by the type collection from
Guatemala.
Ponthieva pulchella Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 196. 1918
(type: Guatemala, ad rupes, Sta. Eulalia, Sierra Madre, September,
1876, Bernoulli & Cario 667).
Terrestrial at high elevations, up to 3,700 meters alt. Apparently
endemic to Guatemala.
FIG. 24. Ponthieva racemosa. Plant (X 1). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
90
FIG. 25. Ponthieva racemosa. Plant (X M)J 1» dorsal sepal (X 2); 2, flower,
partly spread out (X 2); 3, lateral sepal (X 2); 4, lip, spread open (X 2); 5, column
(a, anther; s, stigma), side view (X 8). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
91
92 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant erect, glabrous below, sparsely glandular-pilose above, 1.2-2.7 dm. tall.
Leaves basal, spreading, ovate to elliptic, obtuse to shortly acuminate, tapering
or rounded at the base, up to 10 cm. long and 2.5 cm. wide. Raceme lax, 6-10-
flowered, up to 7 cm. long. Floral bracts elliptic, acute to acuminate, about 1 cm.
long. Flowers white or yellowish green. Sepals 6-9 mm. long, up to 4.5 mm. wide,
the outer surface glandular-pilose; dorsal sepal lanceolate-ligulate to elliptic,
obtuse to subacute; lateral sepals obliquely rhomboid-ovate, obtuse. Petals with
a narrow linear claw, obliquely triangular-ovate, obtuse, with the outer margin
slightly undulate and conspicuously dilated at the base, 6-7 mm. long, 3 mm. wide
at the widest point. Lip with a narrow linear claw, suberect, broadly elliptic, more
or less 3-lobed at the apex, the lateral margins upcurved, concave at the base of
the disk, 6 mm. long (including the claw), 2.75-4 mm. wide; mid-lobe about
1.5 mm. long and wide, obtuse, thick. Capsule glandular-pilose, about 1 cm. long.
Ponthieva pulchella is very closely allied to P. Mandonii Reichb. f.,
a South American species. It is probable that when additional
material of this species is available for study this concept will be
reduced to P. Mandonii.
Huehuetenango: Between Tojquia and Caxin bluff, summit of
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 50191. Cerro Canana,
between Nucapuxlac and Canana, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 49069.
Ponthieva racemosa (Walt.) Mohr, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb.
6: 460. 1901. Arethusa racemosa Walt. Fl. Carol. 222. 1788. Pon-
thieva guatemalensis Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 63. 1866
(type: Guatemala, in einer Barranca bei Guatemala, January 16,
1857, Wendland 243). Figures 24, 25.
In shady wet barrancas, loamy slopes in forests, on damp cliffs
and along stream banks in woods, up to 2,000 meters alt. A wide-
spread and common species from Virginia to Florida, west to
Louisiana and Texas throughout the West Indies, Mexico and Central
America to northern South America.
Plant erect, scapose, 1.3-6 dm. tall; scape and inflorescence glandular-pubes-
cent, reddish brown, purplish or purplish-green. Leaves mostly in a basal rosette,
oblong-elliptic, obovate or oblanceolate, obtuse or subacute, subsessile or long-
petioled, glaucous on the lower surface, 2-17 cm. long (including the wide petiole),
1-5.5 cm. wide. Raceme lax, 5-24 cm. long, 1.5-5 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts
ovate-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 5-9 mm. long. Flowers white-
green, marked with green, with rather stout ascending pedicellate ovaries that are
1-2.2 cm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to sub-
acute, 3.8-7.5 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals broadly ovate to ovate-
oblong, oblique, obtuse to acute, 4.3-8 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide. Petals with
a slender claw, obliquely triangular to semicordate, incurved, dilated on the outer
margin at the base, constricted near the apex, obtuse to subacute, mostly ciliate,
4-8 mm. long, 1.5-5 mm. wide at the base. Lip with a short claw, suborbicular,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 93
concave-saccate with the lateral margins upturned, terminated by a linear obtuse
to acute apical lobe, with an obscure linear median crest on the disk, 4-7.5 mm.
long, 2.5-6 mm. wide (when spread out); claw 1-2 mm. long. Column 2-4.5 cm.
long, curved. Capsule ellipsoid, 8-13 mm. long, about 5 mm. in diameter.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 1786, 14. On limestone rocks,
between Coban and Finca Chimote, near Rubeltein, Steyermark
44163. — Amatitlan: Frajanes, Heyde & Lux 6249. Pacaya, J. R.
Johnston 1398; 1574. — Chimaltenango : Along road from Chimalte-
nango to San Martin Jilotepeque, Standley 57920. — Chiquimula:
Rio Grande (Rio Concepcion), on Socorro Mountain, above Finca
San Jose", southeast of Concepcion de las Minas, Steyermark 31131.—
Guatemala: Along road between Guatemala and San Raimundo,
Standley 63009. Barranca de las Vacas, near Guatemala, Standley
59546. — Jalapa: Mountains about Chahuite, northwest of Jalapa,
Standley 77483 (in part). — Santa Rosa: Heyde & Lux 6255.
Ponthieva triloba Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 9: 25. 1910 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, in rupium fissuris prope Xucanel,
December, 1877, H. von Turckheim 14).
On wooded slopes and mossy rocks on brushy hillsides, up to
2,500 meters alt. This species has been found only in Guatemala,
where it is rare.
Plant glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above, slender, ascending, 1.2-
3.7 dm. tall. Leaves basal, sessile or essentially so, elliptic or elliptic-oblanceolate,
subobtuse or acute, 3-12 cm. long, 1.5-3.2 cm. wide. Raceme asymmetrical,
few-flowered, 3.5-8 cm. long. Bracts tubular, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate,
5-8 cm. long. Flowers white, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 1-1.5 cm.
long. Sepals sparingly pilose on the outer surface and margins; dorsal sepal
elliptic, narrowly obtuse or subacute, 4.5-6 mm. long, 2.2-2.5 mm. wide; lateral
sepals obliquely ovate or broadly ovate-lanceolate, subobtuse or acute, 4.5-6.5
mm. long, 2.8-3.5 mm. wide. Petals with a short claw, semideltoid or obliquely
triangular-lanceolate, asymmetrically obtuse or acute, 5-6.5 mm. long (including
the claw), about 2.2 mm. wide across the base. Lip conspicuously 3-lobed above
the middle, the entire lip 2.5-4 mm. long, 3.2-4 mm. wide across the lateral lobes;
mid-lobe linear, obtuse or acute, 1-1.5 mm. long; lateral lobes spreading, sub-
quadrate, with a truncate apex. Column about 3 mm. long. Capsule ovoid,
prominently ribbed, about 12 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Felsspalten, bei Coban, Turckheim 2070. — Hue-
huetenango: Between Canquintic and Subajasun, Sierra de los
Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51784. On bank, trail between Demo-
cracia and Santa Ana Huista, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyer-
mark 51290.— Quich^ : Nebaj, A. F. Skutch 1898. Near Chichi-
castenango, F. W. Hunnewell 14668. Jose Ignacio Aguilar 1512.
94 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Ponthieva Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 47. 1906
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Pansamala, July, 1886,
H. von Turckheim 966). Figure 26.
In forests in leaf mold, up to 2,500 meters alt. Rather rare in
Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant slender or stout, 2.1-6 dm. tall; scape glandular-pilose. Leaves basal,
glabrous, with slender scarious- winged petioles; lamina ovate to elliptic-lanceolate,
acute or acuminate, oblique, subtruncate or rounded at the base, margins undulate,
3-11.3 cm. long, 1.3-4 cm. wide; petioles 1-10 cm. long. Raceme lax, elongate,
many-flowered, 5-25 cm. long. Bracts tubular, elliptic-lanceolate, acute or
acuminate, 7-10 mm. long. Flowers rather large, white and brown, with slender
pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2 cm. long. Sepals sparingly glandular-pilose on
the outer surface and margins; dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 6-8.2
mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals often united as much as 3 mm. at the
base, very oblique, cymbiform or semiorbicular in outline, beak-like at the con-
stricted apex, involute along the dorsal margins, 6-10 mm. long, about 6 mm. wide.
Petals attached near the apex of the column, transversely falciform, obtuse at
the two ends, about 3.5 mm. long (including the claw), 4-5.5 mm. wide. Lip
small, with a short thick claw, S-shaped, liguliform, obtuse to subacute, with two
lateral falcate-ensiform auricles at the base, concave at the base, conspicuously
constricted and deflexed above the middle, 3.5-4 mm. long (including the deflexed
apex). Column slender, arcuate, about 4 mm. long. Capsule slender, densely
glandular-pilose, about 1.5 cm. long.
According to Harry Johnson, the Indians have the idea that the
seeds of this species are carried up into trees where they become
different plants with yellow flowers.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2338B. Road Chama to Coban,
Harry Johnson 492. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Huitz, between Miman-
huitz and Yulhuitz, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48600.
14. SPIRANTHES L. C. Rich.
Small or occasionally large terrestrial or epiphytic herbs with fleshy or tuberous
roots that are usually fasciculate. Stem usually concealed by leaf-sheaths or
bracts. Leaves basal, cauline or both, often absent at time of flowering. Sepals
free; dorsal sepal usually erect and forming a galea with the petals; lateral sepals
erect or spreading, affixed to the summit of the ovary, more or less decurrent on
the ovary to form a free or usually adnate mentum. Petals narrow and usually
adherent to the dorsal sepal. Lip sessile or clawed, plain, concave or gibbous,
simple or lobed, adherent to the column in most of the species, ecallose or callose,
FIG. 26. Ponthieva Tuerckheimii. Plant (X 1); 1, flower, front-side view
( X 4) ; 2, dorsal sepal (X 4) ; 3, lip, front-side view (about X 10) ; 4, lip, column,
and petals (showing their attachment to the column; about X 7). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
A.
3 vr
\
P0NTHIEVA
95
96 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
in some species bicaudate at the base. Column terete; clinandrium often mem-
branaceous and conspicuous, often continued into the rostellum; rostellum various,
inconspicuous to very pronounced, truncate to lobed or aristate; anther dorsal,
erect, sessile or stipitate; pollinia two, powdery or granular, usually attenuated
at one end.
Spiranthes is a highly technical genus comprising a complex and
variable assemblage of plants. A large number of specific segregates
have been proposed as well as a goodly number of generic segregates.
Formerly, the Spiranthinae have been divided into four major
genera — Spiranthes, Pelexia, Sarcoglottis and Stenorrhynchus. In this
work, all have been brought together under the first genus. The
primary reason for doing this was to avoid the arbitrary relegation
of a number of the species to one genus or another. Also, in the
making of the key to the species no attempt has been made to
group the species under the above names (with a subgeneric status)
since it was necessary to trace several species through more than
one branch of the key. This was compulsory to avoid confusion and
to facilitate the identification of the species.
Although Spiranthes is not the largest genus in Guatemala it is
by far one of the most difficult to interpret. In its distribution it
is world-wide, being circumboreal and represented from the Arctic
to near the Antarctic regions. As considered here, there are approxi-
mately 150 species in the genus.
1. Lateral sepals free or essentially so, obliquely inserted or shortly decurrent
on the ovary, at most forming a very shallow sac; column-foot short or indis-
tinct; flowers usually small.
2. Lip marked in the middle on the lower half with cinnabar-red.
3. Flowers more than 1.5 cm. long.
4. Sepals and petals obtuse to acute; plant aphyllous, from a solitary
tuber, developing tuber-bearing stolons S. stolonifera.
4. Sepals and petals long-acuminate; plant leafy below, from a cluster of
fusiform-thickened roots, not developing tuber-bearing stolons.
S. hyemalis.
3. Flowers less than 1 cm. long.
5. Lip deeply constricted just above the middle to form a suborbicular
lobule, 6 mm. or more long S. parasitica.
5. Lip entire or obscurely constricted near the apex, less than 6 mm. long.
6. Lip ovate to ovate-elliptic, with an inconspicuous auricle on each
side at the base, 4-5 mm. long S. rubrocalosa.
6. Lip oblong or oblong-elliptic, rounded at the base, 3.3-4 mm. long.
S. minutiflora.
2. Lip not marked in the middle on the lower half with cinnabar-red.
7. Lamina of lip not conspicuously lobed or constricted above, sometimes
from a rather broad linear-sagittate base.
8. Lip elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, mostly acuminate; sepals
commonly very thin and tenuous S. polyantha.
8. Lip not as above, at most subacute; sepals not noticeably thin and
tenuous.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 97
9. Lip from a broad base, ovate to triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate.
10. Stem concealed by whitish scarious tubular sheaths; spike densely
flowered, pyramidal; floral bracts reddish brown. .S. pyramidalis.
10. Stem provided with greenish tubular sheaths ; spike laxly or densely
flowered, not pyramidal; floral bracts not reddish brown.
11. Basal callosities of lip slender, acuminate; leaves (when present)
basal, with a slender petiole, elliptic S. costaricensis.
11. Basal callosities of lip stout, fleshy; leaves (when present) basal
or scattered on the stem, filiform to narrowly lanceolate.
12. Rachis and ovary densely pubescent with reddish hairs;
leaves usually present at time of flowering, narrowly lanceo-
late S. vernalis.
12. Rachis and ovary nearly glabrous; leaves rarely present at
time of flowering, filiform S. tortilis.
9. Lip oblong to oblanceolate or slightly constricted above or from a
narrow base and dilated above into an ovate lamina.
13. Lip oblong to oblanceolate; leaves absent at time of flowering.
S. Llaveana.
13. Lip ovate above; leaves present at time of flowering . . S. seminuda.
7. Lamina of lip conspicuously constricted or dilated above, more or less
panduriform.
14. Lip from a narrow base or broadest above the middle.
15. Lip linear-oblong below, abruptly dilated at the apex to form a
suborbicular plate; petals filiform-spatulate S. amabilis.
15. Lip constricted above or about the middle, oblanceolate in outline;
petals linear-oblanceolate S. Llaveana var. violacea.
14. Lip from a broad base, usually but not always broader at the base than
above the middle.
16. Lamina of lip orbicular, constricted above to form a small lobule at
the apex; flowers less than 3.5 mm. long S. guyanensis.
16. Lamina of lip not orbicular; flowers more than 3.5 mm. long.
17. Basal callosities of lip rather prominent, directed backwards.
18. Petals linear; callosities of lip slender, acuminate; plants
; terrestrial S. costaricensis.
, 18. Petals linear-oblanceolate; callosities of lip stout, more or less
incurved; plants usually epiphytic.
19. Flowers not cleistogamous; inflorescence about as long as the
leaves, not secund S. prasophylla.
19. Flowers cleistogamous; inflorescence much exceeding the
leaves, secund S. prasophylla var. cleistogama.
17. Basal callosities of lip inconspicuous, mammillate, more or less
submarginal and erect.
20. Lip with a conspicuously dilated lobule at the apex. . . .S. elata.
20. Lip without a conspicuously dilated lobule at the apex.
S. cranichoides.
1. Lateral sepals long-decurrent on the ovary; column-foot apparently elongate
and subequal to the length of the column or longer; flowers usually but not
always large.
21. Lateral sepals connate at the base to form a short distinct spur with a
free acute mentum at the base, noticeably spreading and divergent from
the other floral segments.
22. Lip less than 1.3 cm. long S. adnata.
22. Lip more than 1.3 cm. long.
23. Sepals and petals obtuse to subacute; lateral sepals 2.5 mm. or more
wide, conspicuously arcuate-recurved; lip with an oblong flat apicu-
late auricle on each side at the base . . . . S. Funckiana.
98 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
23. Sepals and petals acuminate; lateral sepals less than 2.5 mm. wide,
projecting downward and outward; lip with a thickened mammillate
semiterete callus on each side at the base . . S. Funckiana var. olivacea.
21. Lateral sepals not connate into a distinct free spur, though sometimes
with a blunt saccate base adnate to the ovary, not noticeably spreading and
divergent from the other floral segments.
24. Lateral sepals free almost to the base, forming a distinct short mentum;
rostellum a long awl-shaped rigid bristle-like point.
25. Flowers orange-colored to orange-red or orange-red and yellow; leaves
more or less scattered on the stem, usually present at time of flowering.
26. Floral bracts broad, foliaceous, densely pubescent, more than 2.7 cm.
long; sepals and lip obtuse to subacute; flowers orange-colored to
orange-red S. aurantiaca.
26. Floral bracts narrow, not foliaceous, sparingly pubescent, less than
2.7 cm. long; sepals and lip acute to acuminate; flowers orange-red
and yellow S. cinnabarina.
25. Flowers white to purple-red; leaves in a basal rosette, sometimes
absent at time of flowering.
27. Flowers less than 8 mm. long S. Tonduzii.
27. Flowers more than 8 mm. long.
28. Floral bracts scarious, conspicuously striate; inflorescence slender,
less than 4 cm. in diameter.
29. Floral bracts brown-striate; petals more than 1 cm. long.
S. eriophora.
29. Floral bracts purplish-striate; petals less than 1 cm. long.
S. obtecta.
28. Floral bracts red or spotted with red; inflorescence stout, 4 cm. or
more in diameter.
30. Lip acute to obtuse-apiculate; floral bracts exceeding the flowers.
S. speciosa.
30. Lip acuminate; floral bracts much shorter than the flowers.
S. orchioides.
24. Lateral sepals not forming a distinct mentum, at most produced at the
base into a slight swelling; rostellum either bifid or extended into a blunt
point.
31. Lip marked in the middle on the lower half with cinnabar-red; flowers
small.
32. Lip deeply constricted just above the middle to form a suborbicular
lobule, 6 mm. or more long S. parasitica.
32. Lip entire or obscurely constricted near the apex, less than 6 mm.
long.
33. Lip ovate to ovate-elliptic, with an inconspicuous auricle on each
side at the base, 4-5 mm. long S. rubrocalosa.
33. Lip oblong or oblong-elliptic, rounded at the base, 3.3-4 mm.
long S. minutiflora.
31. Lip not marked in the middle on the lower half with cinnabar-red;
flowers usually large.
34. Sepals 1.5 cm. or more long; lip 2 cm. or more long.
35. Flowers fewer than ten or if more with orbiculate subsessile leaves
at the base of the stem; apical lobe of lip triangular-ovate.
36. Lip mostly much exceeding 2.5 cm. in length; leaves absent at
time of flowering, when present elliptic and petiolate from the
base of the plant S. pauciflora.
36. Lip mostly less than 2.5 cm. long; leaves usually present at
time of flowering, orbiculate, subsessile, forming a rosette at
base of stem . . . . S. rosulata.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 99
35. Flowers more than ten; leaves always elliptic and petiolate from
base of stem; apical lobe of lip orbicular to broadly ovate or cordate.
37. Apical lobe of lip orbicular, more than 1.2 cm. wide. .S. cerina.
37. Apical lobe of lip broadly ovate to cordate, less than 1.2 cm.
wide.
38. Lip below the constriction oblanceolate S, acaulis.
38. Lip below the constriction lanceolate . S. acaulis var. assurgens.
34. Sepals less than 1.5 cm. long; lip less than 2 cm. long.
39. Leaves scattered on the stem, linear-lanceolate, present at time
of flowering; lip suborbicular to broadly flabellate. .S. sarcoglossa.
39. Leaves in a basal rosette, elliptic, often absent at time of flowering;
lip not suborbicular or flabellate.
40. Plant small, rarely up to 15 cm. tall; flowers usually fewer
than ten; petals narrowly linear, acute to subacuminate.
41. Lip scarcely if at all constricted near the apex.S. trilineata.
41. Lip conspicuously constricted near the apex to form a sub-
orbicular lobule at the apex S. trilineata var. thelymitra.
40. Plant large, rarely below 25 cm. tall when mature; flowers
usually many more than ten; petals oblanceolate, obtuse to
subacute.
42. Inflorescence densely flowered; stem concealed by imbricating
scarious-brown spathaceous sheaths; floral bracts large, con-
spicuous S. hemichrea.
42. Inflorescence laxly flowered; stem provided with reddish-
tinged sheaths; floral bracts usually small and inconspicuous.
S. Schaffneri.
Spiranthes acaulis (J. E. Sm.) Cogn. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 3, pt.
4: 221. 1895. Neottia acaulis J. E. Sm. Exot. Bot. 2: 91, t. 105.
1806. Sarcoglottis picta (Anders.) Klotz. Allgem. Gartenz. 10: 106.
1842.
In dense jungles, open pine forests or open places in moist soil,
up to 950 meters alt. Widespread and rather common in the West
Indies, Mexico and Central America; also Colombia and Trinidad.
Plant rather stout, glabrous below, pubescent above with articulated hairs,
1.8-5.7 dm. tall; stem reddish or yellowish brown. Leaves basal, rosulate, with
short winged petioles, 5.5-37 cm. long (including the petiole); lamina elliptic-
oblong to oblanceolate, obtuse or acute, tapering at the base into the petiole, usually
silver-striped, 2.5-8 cm. wide. Spike loosely few- or many-flowered, 6-36 cm.
long, 3-9 cm. in diameter. Bracts ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
concave, 1.7-4 cm. long. Flowers arcuate-recurved, white striped with green.
Sepals coarsely and sparingly pubescent on the outer surface; dorsal sepal oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse or subacute and recurved at the apex, concave below, 1.8-2.8
cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide; lateral sepals (free portion) linear, obtuse or acute, strongly
falcate and reflexed, 2-2.5 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblanceolate,
obtuse to subacute, sigmoid, gradually narrowed below the middle, 2-2.7 cm. long,
3-4 mm. wide. Lip longitudinally channeled below, constricted near the apex
and then expanded into an apical lobule and recurved at the apex, when spread
out oblanceolate to oblanceolate-spatulate, 2.3-4 cm. long, 8-11 mm. wide at the
widest point; lower portion below the constriction oblanceolate, sagittate, pubes-
100 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
cent below and with two slender-cuspidate incurved lateral callosities that are
2-4 mm. long; apical lobule cordate or broadly ovate, obtuse, broadly rounded or
emarginate at the apex, with the margins undulate and deflexed. Column 1-1.3
cm. long; rostellum shallowly emarginate.
Spiranthes acaulis is variable in the size of the flowers and in
the shape of the lip. This has resulted in numerous interpretations
of the various collections. As a result the synonymy of this species
comprises a formidable list.
Chiquimula: Upper slopes of Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of
El Barriol, Steyermark 30764. — El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas,
between Tulumajillo and Finca Montanita in foothills, Steyermark
43361.— Pete"n: San Clemente, Bartlett 12119.— Retalhuleu: Rio
Coyote, along road 4 km. west of Retalhuleu, Standley 87453. —
Santa Rosa: Hills east of Cuilapa, along the stream supplying the
city water, Standley 78160. — Verapaz, Klaboch.
Spiranthes acaulis (J. E. Sm.) Cogn. var. assurgens (Reichb.
f.) Correll, Lloydia 10: 209. 1947. Spiranthes assurgens Reichb. f.
Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 66. 1866 (type: Guatemala, Oratorio, Jan. 5,
1857, Wendland). Spiranthes picta (Anders.) Lindl. var. assurgens
(Reichb. f.) Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 67.
1942.
Variety assurgens is represented only by the type collection. The only dis-
tinctive difference separating it from the typical form is the shape of the lip, which
is broad at the base and gradually narrowed above to the apical lobule. The
portion below the constriction is thus lanceolate instead of being oblanceolate
as in the typical form of the species. The apical lobule of the lip of variety as-
surgens is also sagittiform, while that of S. acaulis is cordate or broadly ovate.
Spiranthes adnata (Spreng.) Benth. ex Fawc. Flor. PI. Jam.
40. 1893. Satyrium adnatum Sw. Prodr. 118. 1788.
Terrestrial in damp forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Mexico,
British Honduras and the West Indies; also Venezuela.
Plant slender, up to 6.5 dm. tall; roots large, fleshy, fasciculate. Scape glabrous
below, pubescent above, provided with several somewhat inflated tubular acumi-
nate sheaths. Leaves several, basal, with a long slender petiole, broadly elliptic
to elliptic-lanceolate, acute; lamina up to 12 cm. long and 5 cm. wide, slightly
oblique; petiole sulcate, about as long as the lamina. Spike pubescent, laxly
many-flowered, up to 20 cm. long. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate,
about as long as or longer than the pubescent pedicellate ovary. Flowers erect-
spreading, about 1.5 cm. long from the apex of the dorsal sepal to the tip of the
spur. Sepals greenish, the free part 6-8.5 mm. long; dorsal sepal broadly elliptic,
obtuse, deeply concave, about 4 mm. wide; lateral sepals linear-oblanceolate,
acute, spreading, oblique, united at the base and produced into a spur, about
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 101
2 mm. wide above the middle. Petals white, narrowly oblanceolate, acute,
adherent to the dorsal sepal, 8-8.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide above the middle.
Lip white, linear-spatulate in outline, sagittate at the base, constricted near the
apex, up to 11.5 mm. long; below the constriction linear-spatulate, concave,
pubescent on the inner surface on the linear portion; above the constriction
semiorbicular to reniform, pleated on the margins, fleshy and strongly decurved
in natural position, 2-3 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. wide; basal callosities fleshy, flattened,
about 2 mm. long. Spur adnate to the ovary almost to its apex, free for about
1 mm. Column clavate, about 6 mm. long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, 6-keeled,
about 1.5 cm. long.
No specimen has been seen from Guatemala. However, on the
basis of its occurrence in British Honduras and hence its probable
occurrence in Guatemala it is included here.
Spiranthes amabilis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 8. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Coban, May, 1907, H . von Turck-
heim II 1787).
In moist soil of mountain forests, up to 1,350 meters alt. A
very rare species that has been found only in Guatemala, Cuba,
Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Plant small, slender; scape with four or five sheath-like bracts, glabrous
below, glandular-puberulent above, 6.5-21 cm. tall. Leaves basal, with slender
petioles; lamina ovate, acute, subtruncate at the base, 1.5-3 cm. long, up to
1.7 cm. wide; petiole 1-2.5 cm. long. Raceme few-flowered (2-5). Bracts linear-
lanceolate, acute or acuminate, scarious, erect, about 12 mm. long. Flowers
yellowish white or greenish white. Dorsal sepal linear-oblong, obtuse or broadly
rounded at the apex, concave at the base, adherent to the petals, 7-8 mm. long,
1-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals narrowly linear from a slightly dilated base, obtuse
to acute, translucent, spreading, 8-8.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Petals fili-
form-spatulate, acute, rather coarsely crenate-dentate on the upper margin, 6.5-
8.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide near the apex. Lip linear-oblong, 7-9 mm.
long, 2-3 mm. wide at the middle, rounded at the base and abruptly contracted
into the short claw, apical fourth expanded into a broadly reniform-suborbicular
plate that is about 2 mm. long and 3-4 mm. wide; disk 5-nerved on the linear
portion, the 3 central nerves extending into the apical plate, with an inconspicuous
papilliform callus on each side at the base, the apical plate provided with minute
papillae and a tuft of hair on the lower portion. Column slender below, abruptly
dilated above the middle into an ovate-lanceolate acute plate, hispid on the
anterior surface, 5-6 mm. long.
Spiranthes amabilis is closely allied to S. elata, but differs from
it in the much smaller and fewer-flowered raceme and differently
formed lip with obsolete calli.
Guatemala: Woods near San Rafael, Margaret Ward Lewis
164.
102 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Spiranthes aurantiaca (Llave & Lex.) Hemsl. in Godm. &
Salvin, Biol. Centr.-Am. 3: 300. 1885. Neottia aurantiaca Llave &
Lex. Nov. Veg. Descr. 2: 2. 1825.
On grassy slopes, in wet ground among rocks, meadows and
shady soil in barrancas and wooded slopes, up to 2,500 meters alt.
Common in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant stout, glabrous below, copiously pubescent above the uppermost leaf
with brown articulated hairs, 3-10 cm. tall; stem leafy, bright green. Leaves
strongly clasping and sheathing the stem, orbicular-ovate, elliptic-oblong or
oblong-lanceolate, subobtuse to acute, the margins undulate, bright green, succu-
lent, 7-25 cm. long, 4.5-8.5 mm. wide. Spike loosely flowered, 8-25 cm. long,
5-7 cm. in diameter; rachis and flowers densely pubescent. Bracts large, foliaceous-
membranous, orange-yellow, elliptic-oblong, linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate,
acute, 3-6 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide. Flowers large, tubular, spreading at the apex,
orange or orange-red. Sepals broadly or narrowly oblong-lanceolate, obtuse to
subacute, 2-2.5 cm. long, 5.5-7 mm. wide; lateral sepals involute above the
middle. Petals obliquely linear-ligulate, obtuse, recurved at the apex, 2-2.5 cm.
long, 3-4 mm. wide. Lip sessile, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, saccate at the base,
1.9-2.5 cm. long, 6-9 mm. wide below the middle; disk puberulent below, adorned
with two flat thickened submarginal calli on each side at the base. Column clavate,
about 1 cm. long; rostellum bristle-like, terete below, becoming flat above, 7-8 mm.
long.
This plant is used for adornment and is commonly known as
"ajan-wetch," and "tzcho-kan."
Chimaltenango: Between Chimaltenango and San Martin, Porter
13.— Huehuetenango: Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan,
Steyermark 50628. Along Rio Azul, below Jacaltenango, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51866. Between Chacula and Can-
quitic, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51774. — Santa Rosa:
Santa Rosa, Heyde &Lux 6241. — Sacatepe"quez : San Juan, Margaret
Ward Lewis 146. — Guatemala, plains, Hayes.
Spiranthes cerina (W. Baxt.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. p. 20.
1842 (type: Guatemala, Mount of Salania, Hartweg). Sarcoglottis
cerina W. Baxt. in Loud. Hort. Brit. Suppl. 3: 634. 1839.
On cliffs by waterfalls, up to 1,100 meters alt. Very rare in
Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant rather stout, pubescent with white articulated hairs, the whole plant,
including the flowers, flecked with silver spots, about 4.5 dm. tall; stem yellowish
or olive brown. Leaves basal, appearing about 2 months after flowering, sessile,
elliptic-oblong to broadly oblanceolate, abruptly acute, 15-30 cm. long, 4-7 cm.
wide. Spike loosely few-flowered, about 15 cm. long and 6 cm. in diameter. Bracts
lanceolate, acuminate, concave-incurved, 2-2.5 cm. long. Flowers arcuate-
recurved, dull olive-brown on the outside, bright greenish yellow within, with the
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 103
lower part of the flowers and ovary glandular-pubescent. Dorsal sepal oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse to subtruncate-retuse at the apex, longitudinally concave,
1.5-1.9 cm. long, 5.5-7 mm. wide. Lateral sepals (free part) elliptic-oblong,
obtuse, strongly falcate and reflexed, 1.5-1.8 cm. long, 5.5-7 mm. wide. Petals
elliptic-oblong, obtuse, tapering above and below, about 1.8 cm. long and 5 mm.
wide. Lip broadly obovate to orbicular-spatulate, sagittate, obscurely 3-lobed
above and retuse or broadly rounded at the apex, 2-2.5 cm. long, 1.3-1.5 cm. wide
across the orbicular portion; basal portion linear, conduplicate, on each side at
the base two linear-beaked callosities that are about 3 mm. long, abruptly expanded
above into an orbicular obscurely 3-lobed plate; lateral lobules broadly rounded
and erect, the apical lobule retuse with undulate-crenulate reflexed margins.
Column about 1 cm. long; rostellum emarginate.
This species is very closely allied to S. valida Ames, a Costa Rican
species, from which it may be distinguished by the apical portion of
the lip, which is obscurely 3-lobed and orbicular, and broadly rounded
at the base into the linear portion. The lip of S. valida is narrowly
cuneate-oblanceolate with three rather prominent subequal lobes at
the apex. The sepals and petals of S. cerina are also much wider
than those of S. valida.
Amatitlan: Near Amatitlan, Margaret Ward Lewis 108.
Spiranthes cinnabarina (Llave & Lex.) Hemsl. in Godm. &
Salvin, Biol. Centr.-Am. 3: 300. 1885. Neottia cinnabarina Llave
& Lex. Nov. Veg. Descr. 2: 3. 1825. Stenorrhynchus montanus Lindl.
in Benth. PL Hartw. 95. 1842 (type: Guatemala, mountains of
Duenas, Hartweg}. Figure 27.
On grassy hills, barren rocky mountain sides and in meadows,
up to 2,400 meters alt. Rather common in western Texas, through-
out Mexico and in northwestern Guatemala.
Plant stout, glabrous below, pubescent above with brown or whitish articu-
lated hairs, 2-9.5 dm. tall. Leaves on the lower part of the stem conduplicate,
oblanceolate to linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to shortly acuminate, 11-23 cm. long,
1.5-3.2 cm. wide. Spike usually short, congested, many-flowered, 4-17 cm. long,
3-6 cm. in diameter. Bracts narrowly ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, 1.2-2.5 cm.
long, about 7 mm. wide. Flowers tubular, floral segments conspicuously recurved-
flared at the apex, yellowish orange to yellow-scarlet. Sepals and petals minutely
papillose, the sepals sparingly pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal
lanceolate, acuminate, 1.2-2.2 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals some-
what obliquely lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate, 1.2-2.5 cm. long, 2.2-3.2
mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, acute, falcate, 1.2-2.2 cm. long, about 2.5 mm.
wide. Lip sessile, obovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, narrowly long-acumi-
nate above the middle, 1.2-2.5 cm. long, 3-6 mm. wide at widest point, expanded
and shallowly concave below the middle, thickened at the apex; disk puberulent
on the lower part, with a marginal longitudinal flat callus on each side at the
base. Column thick, papillose on the anterior surface, 6-10 mm. long; rostellum
flat, slender, 2 mm. or more long.
FIG. 27. Spiranthes cinnabarina. 1, plant (X M)»' 2, flower, spread open
(X 2H); 3, flower, side view (X 21A). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
104
SPIRANTHILS
costancensis
FIG. 28. Spiranthes costaricensis. Flowering plant (X %"); 1, lip, side view
(X 5); 2, lip, spread out (X 5); 3, flower, side view (X 5); 4, column (X 5); 5,
dorsal sepal, one lateral sepal, petals, spread out (X 5). Drawn by Eleonar
B. Phillips.
105
106 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Huehuetenango: Naraccanal, Seler 2396; 2399. Chiantla, Skutch
1144. Aguacatan, Johnston 1383. Between Nenton and Las Palmas,
via Yalisjao, Rincon Chiquito, Chiaquial, Guaxacana, in Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51574. Along Aguacatan road east
of Huehuetenango, at about km. 15, Standley 81949.
Spiranthes costaricensis Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 214. 1855.
S. bicaudata Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII: 126. 1922. Figure 28.
On tree trunks and in moist shady soil of mixed forests, on mossy
stumps, bushy slopes and along roadsides, usually on the lower
mountain slopes up to 1,160 meters alt. Widespread in the West
Indies, Mexico and Central America.
Plant slender, 1.2-4.9 dm. tall; scape glabrous below, glandular-pubescent
above, almost concealed by tubular-sheathing acuminate bracts. Leaves basal,
with slender narrowly winged petioles; lamina obliquely elliptic-oblong or oblanceo-
late, acute or acuminate, tapering at the base, 4-19 cm. long, 1.8-6 cm. wide;
petiole 2-6 cm. long. Spicate raceme lax or compact, 4-23 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm.
in diameter. Bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate, 9-17 mm. long.
Flowers green and white, tubular, flaring at the apex, strongly fragrant of violets.
Sepals sparingly glandular-pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal linear-
oblong, subobtuse or acute, concave at the base, 4.5-6.5 mm. long, about 1.5 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals united for a short distance at the base to form a sac, often
slightly constricted at the middle, free part linear-lanceolate, obtuse or subacute,
6-7 mm. long, about 1.2 mm. wide at the middle. Petals linear, obtuse, recurved
at the apex, with a conspicuous green central vein, 4-6 mm. long, about 1 mm.
wide. Lip with a short broad claw, triangular-ovate to ovate-lanceolate, obtuse
to subacute and strongly decurved at the apex, abruptly narrowed above the
middle, the apex with ciliate margins, with a slender acuminate callus (about
1 mm. long) on each side at the base, 4-6 mm. long (including the claw), 1-2 mm.
wide below the middle, which is twice as wide as the upper half. Column short,
about 3 mm. long, hispidulous on the anterior surface. Capsule ovoid, about 9 mm.
long.
Alta Verapaz: Pela-pec, Finca Los Alpes, Wilson 330. — Pete"n:
Uaxactun, jungle, Bartlett 12202. — Suchitepequez : Finca Moca,
Skutch 1571.
Spiranthes cranichoides (Griseb.) Cogn. in Urban, Symb.
Antill. 6: 338. 1909. Pelexia cranichoides Griseb. Cat. PI. Cub.
269. 1866. Figure 29.
FIG. 29. Spiranthes cranichoides. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower and floral bract,
side view (X 4); 3, flower and floral bract, front view (X 4); 4, dorsal sepal (X 7);
5, petal (X 7) ; 6, lateral sepal (X 7) ; 7, lip, from above, spread open ( X 7) ;
8, column, side view (X 10); 9, column, front-ventral view (X 10). Original
drawing by Blanche Ames; redrawn by G. W. Dillon.
107
108 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
In leaf mold, humus and on rotten logs in dense forests at low
altitude. Rather common in southern Florida. Uncommon in the
West Indies, Guatemala and British Honduras.
Plant slender, glabrous below, pubescent above, 1.4-4.8 dm. tall; stem green-
ish, yellowish or purplish, provided with loose inflated white-spotted sheaths.
Leaves in a basal rosette, with short petioles; lamina obliquely ovate to ovate-
oblong, acute or acuminate, often variegated or purplish beneath, 2.5-7 cm. long,
1.5-4 cm. wide; petiole 1-4.5 cm. long. Spike loosely-flowered, 2-11 cm. long,
1.5-2.3 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, maculate, semi-
translucent, 8-13 mm. long. Flowers rather small. Sepals greenish, tinged with
madder-purple, often flecked with white; dorsal sepal narrowly ovate-lanceolate
to oblong-elliptic, obtuse or acute, 4-5 mm. long; lateral sepals lanceolate, acute,
5-5.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Petals linear-spatulate, subobtuse to acute,
greenish at the base and along the margins, otherwise white, 4-5 mm. long. Lip
white, 3-lobed above the middle, 5-6 .mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide near the middle;
the broad lateral lobes erect, clasping the column, rounded at the apex, forming
with the disk a cuneate-oblong lamina; apical lobe orbicular-quadrate, subtruncate,
occasionally apiculate, narrower than the lower two-thirds of the lip, 1-2 mm.
long; basal lateral callosities erect, glabrous, somewhat thickened. Column 3-4
mm. long. Capsule obliquely obovoid-ellipsoid, 6-9 mm. long.
Spiranthes cranichoides may be distinguished from nearly allied
species, particularly S. elata, by the narrow subquadrate apical lobe
of the lip, which is not expanded at the apex as in S. elata.
Pete"n: Tikal, H. H. Bartlett 12614. Yaloch-El Cayo road,
Bartlett 12861.
Spiranthes elata (Sw.) L. C. Rich. Orch. Europ. Ann. 37. 1817
(in Me"m. Mus. Hist. Nat. Par. 4: 59. 1818). Satyrium datum Sw.
Prodr. 119. 1788. Figure 30.
In leaf mold and loamy soil in forests and dense thickets, rarely
epiphytic, up to 3,000 meters alt. Widespread in Florida, Mexico
and Central and South America.
Plant erect, stout or slender, glabrous below, pubescent above, 8.5-60 cm.
tall; stem yellowish purple, purplish or greenish. Leaves basal, with rather long
petioles; lamina oblong-elliptic, ovate-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acute to
acuminate, 3-15 cm. long, 1-6 cm. wide; petiole sulcate, 1-10 cm. long. Spike
loosely flowered, often unilateral, 3-22 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. in diameter. Floral
bracts oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, maculate, 7-20 mm. long. Flowers nodding,
green or brownish green. Dorsal sepal oblong to ovate-lanceolate, obtuse or
subacute, 4-6.5 mm. long, 1.3-1.7 mm. wide. Lateral sepals linear-oblong to
linear-lanceolate, obtuse or acute, somewhat falcate, 5-7.5 mm. long, 1.3-2 mm.
wide near the base. Petals linear-spatulate to oblanceolate, obtuse or rounded
at the apex, 4-6 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip 4-8 mm. long, the lower
half oblong-quadrate with rounded corners, abruptly contracted above into a
narrow isthmus and then expanding into a suborbicular, flabellate or transversely
FIG. 30. Spiranthes elata. 1, plant (X K); 2, flower, side view (X 5); 3, lip,
front view, spread out ( X 5) ; 4, column, side view ( X 5). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
109
110 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
elliptic apical lobe; the basal portion of the lip concave-saccate, with the margins
involute, the pair of submarginal mammillate calli white; apical lobe 2-5.3 mm.
wide, as wide as or wider than the lower part of the lip, somewhat sinuately tri-
dentate at the apex or curled and crenulate on the margins. Column 1.5-3 mm.
long. Capsule 7-12 mm. long.
Spiranthes elata and S. prasophylla are very closely allied and may,
with further study, be considered only varietally distinct. However,
they are at present treated as separate entities because of several
points of difference. Spiranthes elata is characteristically a terrestrial
species, whereas S. prasophylla is an epiphyte, or essentially so. The
lips of the flowers of both species are similar except for the sub-
marginal basal calli of the lip of S. elata, which are small and mammil-
late, while those of S. prasophylla are rather long and incurved,
resulting in the lip becoming hastate. The scape of S. prasophylla
is very short, scarcely exceeding the basal leaves, while the scape
of S. elata is usually quite long, being several times the length of
the basal leaves.
Alta Verapaz: Region of Cocola, northeast of Carcha, Standley
70318. Near San Juan Chamelco, Standley 92241. — Chimaltenango:
Calderas, Johnston 1577 (in part). — Escuintla: Below Las Lajas,
Standley 64781. — Quezaltenango : Finca Pirineos, slopes of Volcan
Santa Maria, between Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache",
Steyermark 33227; 33771. Along old road between Finca Pirineos
and Patzulin, Standley 86882; 87130.— San Marcos: Above Finca
El Porvenir, between "Todos Santos Chiquitos" and "Loma de la
Paloma," south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark
37284. Slopes of barrancas tributary to and bordering Rio Vega,
between San Rafael at northeast portion of Volcan Tacana and
Guatemala-Mexico line, Steyermark 36363 (in part).
Spiranthes eriophora Robins. & Greenm. Amer. Journ. Sci.
ser. 3, 1: 165. 1895.
Terrestrial on dry forested slopes, usually at high elevations,
up to 3,300 meters alt. Rather common in Mexico, rare in Guate-
mala.
Plant erect, up to 6 dm. tall; roots fleshy, fasciculate. Scape slender, pale
green, glabrous below, densely woolly-pubescent above with articulated hairs,
concealed by long somewhat inflated sheaths; sheaths greenish white, scarious,
conspicuously brown-striate, long-acuminate. Leaves usually withering before
time of flowering, when present basal, fleshy-membranaceous, usually with a
petiole; lamina narrowly linear-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute, up to 30 cm.
long including the petiole, up to 3 cm. wide. Spike few- to many-flowered, up to
16 cm. long, spirally arranged. Floral bracts similar to the sheaths of the scape,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 111
much exceeding the flowers. Flowers rather large, fragrant, white or pale green
with the throat of the lip orange-yellow and with a green stripe in the center,
more or less ringent and nodding. Sepals pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal
sepal elliptic-lanceolate, tapering to an acute to shortly acuminate apex, 1.4-1.9
cm. long, about 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
3-nerved, 1.4-1.8 cm. long, 2.8-3.5 mm. wide. Petals adherent to the dorsal
sepal, with a long slender claw, obliquely and shortly ovate-lanceolate above,
obtuse to acute, 1.4-1.7 cm. long including the claw, 3.5-4.5 mm. wide above.
Lip from an arcuate base, adherent to the column to near its apex, broadly pandu-
rate to oblanceolate-pandurate in outline, 1.4-1.9 cm. long, constricted near the
apex, with the lower portion obovate to broadly oblanceolate and longitudinally
sulcate, with the apical portion suborbicular-ovate and broadly obtuse; lower
portion below the constriction 7-9 mm. wide at the widest point, apical portion
above the constriction 6-10 mm. wide, with the margins minutely erose; disk
glandular-puberulent above; basal callosities obsolescent. Column large, dilated
above, about 11 mm. long.
El Progreso: Between Calera and summit of Volcan Siglo, Steyer-
mark 43034. — Solola: Volcan Santa Clara, south-facing slopes to
summit, Steyermark 47010. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, upper
slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, Steyermark 42514.
Spiranthes Funckiana A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se"r. 3,
3: 32. 1845. Pelexia Funckiana (A. Rich. & Gal.) Schltr. Repert.
Sp. Nov. 15: 197. 1918, as Funkiana. P. guatemalensis Schltr.
Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 197. 1918 (type: Guatemala, between Escamillas
and Palahueco, Costa Cura, Bernoulli & Cario 627).
In moist soil of very humid forests, wooded hillsides or moist
savannahs, rarely epiphytic, up to 1,500 meters alt. Uncommon in
Mexico, Guatemala and Panama.
Plant slender, glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above with white or
brownish articulated hairs, 2.7-4.5 dm. tall; stem green or brownish green. Leaves
basal, with slender petioles; lamina elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, shortly acuminate,
10-13 cm. long, 4-5.5 cm. wide; petiole 8-9.5 cm. long. Spike loosely few-flowered,
8-13 cm. long, 4-4.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts narrowly lanceolate, acuminate,
concave, incurved, 2-3 cm. long. Flowers rather large, suberect, spreading, green-
ish white and yellowish green. Sepals sparingly pubescent on the outer surface;
dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to broadly oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, shallowly
concave, 1.6-1.9 cm. long, 4.2-5 mm. wide; lateral sepals (free part) spreading,
conspicuously arcuate-recurved with the apex directed back toward the rachis,
obliquely linear-ligulate to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, 1.6-2 cm. long,
about 3 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, ciliate along the outer
margin, 1.5-1.9 cm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide above the middle. Lip sagittate, forming
a tube, oblanceolate in outline, 1.9-2.3 cm. long, about 5 mm. wide at widest point,
constricted near the apex to form a suborbicular-subcordate obtuse conspicuously
reflexed apical lobule with minutely undulate-crenulate margins; basal lateral
auricles flat, oblong, apiculate-fleshy at the tip; disk densely pilose just above
112 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
the base; spur very short. Column 1.2-1.4 cm. long; rostellum linear, slightly
denticulate at the apex.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 1156; II 1838. Near the
Finca Sepacuite, Cook & Griggs 66. Finca Volcan, Wilson 307.
Finca Los Alpes, Wilson 340. Tactic, Johnston 1853. — Quezal-
tenango: Slopes of Volcan Santa Maria, between Santa Maria de
Jesus and Calahuache*, between Finca Pirineos and San Juan Patzulin,
Steyermark 33609.
Spiranthes Funckiana var. olivacea (Rolfe) Ames & Correll,
Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 66. 1942. Pelexia olivacea Rolfe,
Kew Bull. 200. 1891. P. subaequalis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 5.
1923 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, H. von
Turckheim 7994).
Terrestrial in dense wet forests, up to 1,500 meters alt. Rare in
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
Plant slender, glabrous below, pubescent above with brown articulated hairs,
3-6.5 dm. tall. Leaves basal, with very long slender petioles; lamina obliquely
ovate-elliptic, abruptly acute or subacuminate, broadly rounded at the base,
reddish brown, yellow-green or maculate, 14-17 cm. long, 6-8.5 cm. wide; petiole
14-29 cm. long. Spike cylindrical, loosely many-flowered, 9-25 cm. long, about
4 cm. in diameter. Bracts linear-filiform to linear-lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate,
incurved, 1.5-3.5 cm. long. Flowers slender, suberect, spreading, greenish white
and yellow. Sepals densely pubescent on the outer surface with articulated
hairs; dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 1.6-1.8
cm. long, 4-5 cm. wide; lateral sepals (free part) spreading, gradually curved to
project downward, obliquely linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 1.5-1.8 cm. long, 2-2.2
mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear-oblanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, ciliate
along the outer margin, 1.5-1.6 cm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide above the middle.
Lip sagittate, forming a tube, oblanceolate in outline, slightly puberulent on the
outer surface, 1.7-2 cm. long, 4.2-6 mm. wide at the widest point, constricted
near the apex to form an orbicular-ovate broadly rounded mucronate reflexed
apical lobule with the lateral margins upturned; callosities thickened-mammillate
or semiterete and incurved near the apex, 1.5-3 mm. long; disk densely glandular-
pubescent in front of the callosities. Column 1-1.2 cm. long; rostellum linear,
denticulate at the apex, 1-1.5 mm. long.
Variety olivacea may be distinguished from the typical form of
the species by its narrower sepals and petals, which are acute or
acuminate instead of being obtuse. The base of the lip of var.
olivacea has thickened mammillate semiterete calli, whereas the lip
of S, Funckiana has oblong flat apiculate auricles. The general
aspect of the two is very similar. However, the petiole is usually
longer and the leaf-lamina is usually larger in var. olivacea than
in typical S. Funckiana. The position and appearance of the lateral
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 113
sepals is also helpful in separating these two entities in the field.
The lateral sepals of var. olivacea are not conspicuously arcuate-
recurved and directed back toward the rachis as in S. Funckiana
but are gently curved and directed downward and outward.
Pete"n: Forest between Finca Yalpemech along Rio San Diego
and San Diego on Rio Cancuen, Steyermark 45331. Low forest
between Finca Yalpemech and Chinaja, Steyermark 45440. — San
Marcos: Above Finca El Porvenir on "Todos Santos Chiquitos,"
slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37114. Pacaya, Johnston.
Spiranthes guyanensis (Lindl.) Cogn. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 3, pt.
4: 209. t. 47, fig. 2. 1895. Goodyera guyanensis Lindl. Gen. & Sp.
Orch. PI. 494. 1840.
Among grasses in fields and open pine forests, up to 1,200 meters
alt. Uncommon but widespread in the West Indies, Mexico, Cen-
tral America and northern South America.
Plant slender, flexuose, glabrous or sparsely puberulent above, 7-22 cm. tall,
with one or two fleshy, fusiform tubers; stem provided with tubular, acuminate
bracts. Leaves fugacious, basal when present. Spike short, with few or many
flowers, cylindrical, congested, 1.5-6 cm. long, 5-13 mm. in diameter. Bracts
lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate, concave, 4-7 mm. long. Flowers minute, white.
Dorsal sepal ovate-elliptic, acute or acuminate, deeply concave below the middle,
about 3 mm. long, 1-1.3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular-lanceolate,
acute or acuminate, 2.5-3 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. wide. Petal oblanceolate or
linear-spatulate, rounded at the apex, 2-2.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip
arcuate-decurved, with the lower two-thirds subrotund and concave, conspicu-
ously constricted above the middle, somewhat dilated above the constriction,
with slender lateral auricles on each side at the base, subtruncate at the apex,
2-2.5 mm. long, 2-2.3 mm. wide across the lower two-thirds. Column short,
erect, about 1 mm. long.
Izabal: Cristina, S. F. Blake 7609.— Pete*n: Chiche", C. L. Lundell
3704.
Spiranthes hemichrea Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 473. 1840
(type: Guatemala, Skinner}. Spiranthes pulchra Schltr. Repert. Sp.
Nov. 15: 198. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Solola, on moist rocks,
San Miguelito, Bernoulli & Cario 644). Dieregyne hemichrea (Lindl.)
Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37, Abt. 2: 427. 1920. D. pulchra Schltr.
Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37, Abt. 2: 428. 1920. Sarcoglottis hemichrea
(Lindl.) Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 9. 1923.
On moist rocks and stones and in rich humus of forests, rarely
epiphytic, up to 1,600 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala
and Salvador.
114 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant erect, rather stout, glabrous, 3.3-7 dm. tall; stem concealed by imbricat-
ing scarious-brown deciduous sheaths. Leaves (when present) basal, elliptic,
acute. Spike rather large, densely flowered, pyramidal, 9-17 cm. long, about
3 cm. in diameter. Bracts elliptic-oblong, acuminate, scarious, loosely imbricate,
2-2.5 cm. long. Flowers white, recurved-nodding. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong,
often narrowed above and below the middle, obtuse to broadly acute and recurved
at the apex, concave below the middle, 10-12 mm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide across
the middle. Lateral sepals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, falcate, 11-12 mm. long,
2.5-3 mm. wide. Petals obliquely oblanceolate, obtuse, prominently recurved
and narrowed below the middle, 8.5-9.5 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide. Lip linear-
spatulate, constricted and conspicuously recurved at the middle, 1.3-1.5 cm. long;
the lower portion below the constriction linear, slightly dilated and pubescent
below the two lateral auriculate callosities arising about 3 mm. above the base
of the lip; apical portion above the constriction expanded into a Ungulate cuneate-
ovate lamina with a slightly dilated broadly rounded apex, about 4 mm. wide.
Column about 8 mm. long.
Amatitlan: Lake Amatitlan, Kellerman 6564. — El Progreso:
Sierra de las Minas, between Tulumajillo and Finca Montanita in
foothills, Steyermark 43359. — Guatemala: 25 miles from Guatemala
City, Cerro de Nubes, Margaret W. Lewis 100 (in part). — Zacapa:
Lava cap near Rincon, Margaret W. Lewis 157 (in part). Sierra
de las Minas, dry southwest-facing rocky slopes and bluffs of meta-
morphosed dolomitic rock, Loma El Picacho, above San Rosalia,
Steyermark 42711. Sierra de las Minas, Valley of Vegona, between
Vegas and Calera, Steyermark 42966. Barranca Hondo, Johnston
1568. Alotepeque, Rafael Tejada 226.
Spiranthes hyemalis A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3, 3 :
32. 1845.
Under pines and in Cupressus forests in high grass, cool mossy
bluffs and on rocky slopes above timber line, rarely on trees, up to
3,260 meters alt. This species is found in the higher altitudes of
Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant slender, flexuose, glabrous below, pubescent above the uppermost cauline
bract, 0.8-4 dm. tall. Leaves basal, with slender, short petioles, linear-lanceolate,
acute or acuminate, 4-23 cm. long (including petiole), 4-18 mm. wide. Inflores-
cence composed of 1-3 rather large flowers that are subtended by large bracts.
Bracts membranous, scarious, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, clasping
the ovaries, with conspicuous hyaline margins, 1.7-3.5 cm. long. Flowers pro-
jecting at right angles to the stem or nodding, ringent; the segments spreading,
white within, pinkish on the outer surface, disk of the thickened basal portion of
the lip cinnabar-red. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, long-acuminate, recurved at the
apex, concave below the middle, with 5-7 prominent veins, 1.7-2 cm. long, 5-6 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals linear to linear-lanceolate, acuminate-filiform, 1.9-2.4 cm.
long, 2.5-3 mm. wide near the base. Petals linear, acuminate, falcate, with 3
prominent veins, 1.5-2 cm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Lip pandurate, oblong-lanceo-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 115
late to oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, conspicuously constricted near the
middle, 2.1-2.8 cm. long, 5.5-10.5 mm. wide at widest point; lower half thick,
deeply cinnabar-red, obovate, much thickened on the margins at the base and
densely puberulent, with 7-9 prominent veins; upper half triangular-deltoid to
ovate-oblong, with the margins erose, covered with minute papillae, with 5-7
veins extending from the lower half. Column about 1 cm. long.
This species is easily distinguished by its few and comparatively
large flowers.
Chimaltenango: Tecpam, J. R. Johnston 1326. Cerro de Tecpam,
region of Santa Elena, Standley 58737; 61041. Tecpam, Margaret W.
Lewis 214. — Quezaltenango : Uppermost ridge to summit of Volcan
Zunil, Steyermark 34852.
Spiranthes Llaveana Lindl. in Benth. PI. Hartw. 72. 1842.
S. Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 131. 1906 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Santa Rosa, grasslands, April, 1887, H. von Tilrckheim
1169).
On loamy slopes of pine and mixed forests, rocky fields, pastures
and savannahs, and in leaf mold along streams in barrancas, up to
3,000 meters alt. Widespread in Mexico, uncommon in Guatemala
and Honduras.
Plant slender, erect or flexuose, 1.2-5.5 dm. tall; stem purplish brown. Leaves
fugacious, when present basal, with a long slender petiole; lamina slightly obliquely
elliptic, acute, 5-10 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide; petiole 5-17 cm. long. Spike slender,
loosely few-flowered, 4-19 cm. long. Bracts oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, scarious,
7-15 mm. long. Flowers small, ascending or nodding; sepals and petals dusky
pink or red; lip white, variously marked with olive-brown, green or red. Sepals
lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate, 8-10 mm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide; lateral
sepals slightly oblique. Petals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, 7.5-9 mm. long, about
1 mm. wide above the middle. Lip oblong to oblanceolate, slightly constricted
above the middle, fleshy, recurved and crisped at the apex, 8.5-12 mm. long, 4-5
mm. wide; lower portion oblong-quadrate to broadly cuneate, with the lateral
margins terminated by more or less obtuse angles just below the constriction, the
disk thin and veiny; apical portion when spread out oblong-orbicular to ovate, with
undulate-crenulate margins, covered with minute papillae; lateral basal callosities
short, thick, slightly incurved and pubescent. Capsule ellipsoid, strongly ribbed,
about 1 cm. long.
All of the plants examined, referable to S. Llaveana, were found
to be essentially alike in appearance. However, when their flowers
were examined the lip was found to be very variable. The general
outline of the lip is oblong or oblanceolate and the constriction, in
most cases, is quite shallow and often nearly lacking.
Baja Verapaz: Santa Rosa, Tilrckheim 1169. Moist ravine slopes
of Sierra de Chuacus, south of San Geronimo, Steyermark 43872. —
116 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, between Calera and summit of
Volcan Siglo, Steyermark 43035. — Guatemala: Road to Antigua,
near San Rafael, Margaret W. Lewis 76. — Quiche": Sacabaja, Heyde
& Lux 3514.
Spiranthes Llaveana var. violacea (A. Rich. & Gal.) Ames &
Correll in Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 67. 1942.
Spiranthes violacea A. Rich. & Gal. in Ann. Sci. Nat. seY. 3, 3: 32.
1845.
In dry grassy fields and in loamy soil of pinelands, up to 2,000
meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico and Guatemala.
Variety violacea differs from the typical form mainly in that the flowers are
usually smaller and the lip is pandurate instead of being oblong with obscure
lateral constrictions. The lip of variety violacea is 6-7 mm. long and 3-4 mm.
wide. The apical lobule of the lip is orbicular with undulate-crenate margins and
is usually wider than the basal portion. The basal half below the conspicuous
constriction is obovate to oblong-obovate with the lateral margins rounded toward
the constriction. The lip of typical S. Llaveana is mostly widest below the slight
constriction and the basal half is oblong-quadrate to broadly cuneate with the
lateral margins terminated by more or less obtuse angles just below the constric-
tion. The lip of var. violacea is white tinged with pink or lavender with the lateral
lobules often greenish yellow. The sepals and petals are pink.
Chimaltenango: Chichavac, Skutch 325. — San Marcos: Vicinity
of Sibinal, Steyermark 35961. Six miles south and west of town of
Tajumulco, slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 36691.
Spiranthes minutiflora A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>.
3, 3: 32. 1845. S. nutantiflora Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 131.
1906 (type: Guatemala, in bushes near Chissoy, November, 1886,
H. von Tiirckheim 1102).
In rocky grassy soil under conifers, dry ridges and on open slopes,
up to 3,900 meters alt. Uncommon from southern Mexico to Costa
Rica.
Plant very slender, glabrous or sparingly puberulent above, 6-25 cm. tall.
Leaves fugacious, when present basal, linear-oblong to elliptic-oblong, acute, with
slender petioles, 3-12 cm. long (including petiole), 0.7-2.3 cm. wide. Spike
slender, loosely few-flowered, 2-10 cm. long. Bracts broadly ovate to oblong-
lanceolate, abruptly acute or acuminate, concave and clasping the ovary, 6-10
mm. long. Flowers nodding, greenish white, turning reddish brown with age, lip
callus adorned with cinnabar-red stripes. Sepals and petals recurved at the
apex, with a central vein. Sepals linear-lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, acuminate
or abruptly acute, 3-4.3 mm. long, 0.8-1.3 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate,
subobtuse to subacuminate, somewhat falcate, 2.5-3.5 mm. long, less than 1 mm.
wide. Lip oblong or oblong-elliptic, obtuse or acute, concave, 3-5 veins, scarcely
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 117
constricted near the apex to form a minute apical suborbicular lobule whose margins
are slightly undulate, often prominently arcuate-decurved, 3.3-4 mm. long,
1-1.8 mm. wide, with an inconspicuous cinnabar-red striped callus on each side
at the base. Column about 2 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, 5-7 mm. long.
Huehuetenango: Sierra Cuchumatanes, Skutch 1202. Between
Tojquia and Caxin bluff, summit of Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 50182. Juniper ravine, alpine areas in vicinity of Tunima,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48387. — Quezaltenango :
Volcan Santo Tomas, Steyermark 34867. — San Marcos: Slopes of
Volcan Tajumulco, between Las Canojas and top of ridge, 7 miles
from San Sebastian, Steyermark 35890. Vicinity of Sibinal, Steyer-
mark 35962. — Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyer-
mark 47499.
Spiranthes obtecta C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ.
4: 106. 1936-37 (type: Guatemala, road to Mataquescuintla, about
twenty miles from Guatemala City, about 8,000 ft., April 21, 1934,
Margaret Ward Lewis 101).
In shallow layer of topsoil (chiefly semi-decayed pine needles).
Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant rather stout, 2.5-3.5 dm. tall; stem flexuose or erect, entirely concealed
by long tubular white-scarious imbricating sheaths that are 5-6 cm. long and
are marked with brownish purple longitudinal nerves. Leaves fugacious, when
present apparently narrowly elliptic with long petioles. Spike dense, 7-8.6 cm.
long, about 2 cm. in diameter. Bracts scarious, surpassing and mostly concealing
the flowers, ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, concave at the base and marked with
about 9 prominent longitudinal purplish nerves. Flowers small; sepals pale green;
petals white; lip white with a fine green mid-nerve. Sepals recurved at the apex,
3-nerved; dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 9.5-12 mm. long,
3-3.2 mm. wide; lateral sepals linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 9-11 mm. long,
1.8-2 mm. wide. Petals strongly adnate to the dorsal sepal forming a galea, elliptic-
linear, subacute to obtuse, slightly sigmoid, 3-nerved, 8-9 mm. long, about 2.3 mm.
wide across the middle. Lip strongly recurved at the apex and upcurved at the
base in natural position, conspicuously constricted just above the middle, the lower
portion concave, the apical portion flat with inrolled crenulate margins, when
spread out pandurate, 9.5-12 mm. long, 5-6 mm. wide just below the middle;
the lower portion flabellate-rhombic with rounded outer angles, cuneate toward
the base with thickened margins; apical portion ovate to ovate-quadrate, subacute
to truncate at the apex when spread out; disk minutely papillose. Column small,
about 5.5 mm. long, with a triangular rostellum that is abruptly contracted above
to a linear-ligulate point.
Mrs. Lewis records in her notes that S. obtecta is common in Guate-
mala. However, the type collection cited above is the only one known
for the species.
118 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Spiranthes orchioides (Sw.) A. Rich, in La Sagra, Fl. Cub.
Fan. 11: 252. 1853. Satyrium orchioides Sw. Prodr. 118. 1788.
Stenorrhynchus guatemalensis Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt.
2: 376. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Coban, F. C.
Lehmanri). Figure 31.
In dry or damp open grassy fields, xerophytic forests and damp
soil in pinelands, up to 1,500 meters alt. Widespread in Florida,
the West Indies, Mexico and Central and South America.
Plant slender or stout, erect, somewhat scurvy with white papillose scales,
whitish glandular-pubescent except for .the leaves and rarely the lower part of
the scape, 3.5-6.5 (rarely 9) dm. tall. Leaves basal, appearing after anthesis,
rarely present at time of flowering, oblong-elliptic, narrowly oblong or oblong-
oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, 1-4 dm. long, 2.5-5 cm. wide. Spike loosely or
densely flowered, conspicuous, 6-17 cm. long, 4-6 cm. in diameter. Bracts narrowly
lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate, usually punctate with bright red resinous-
appearing dots, 1.5-2.5 cm. long. Flowers showy, suberect, grading in color from
greenish white to brick-red or deep crimson. Sepals glandular-papillose on the
outer surface; dorsal sepal broadly to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 1.4-2.2 cm.
long, about 7 mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals produced at the base into a
short mentum, narrowly lanceolate above, acuminate, 1.5-3 cm. long from the
base of the mentum, free portion 3.5-5 mm. wide. Petals lanceolate, acute or
acuminate, falcate, 1.3-2 cm. long, about 6 mm. wide at the widest point. Lip
sessile, entire or rarely subsagittate, narrowly or broadly obovate-lanceolate,
acuminate, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 5-10 mm. wide at the middle, dilated and saccate
near the middle, with slightly revolute margins near the apex; convolute and linear
below the dilated middle with a pair of linear flat submarginal calli, pubescent on
the disk and along the margins. Column about 1 cm. long; rostellum cuspidate-
elongate, bristle-like, rigid, about 5 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, 1-1.5 cm. long.
Spiranthes orchioides is a variable species, particularly in the size
and color of the flowers. The plants of this species appear quite
suddenly after the first rains and then quickly fade, leaving little
evidence of their presence.
Alta Verapaz: Savanna north of Conception, 3-5 miles south-
east of Finca Yalpemech, near Alta Verapaz-Pete"n boundary line,
Steyermark 45275. Along Rio Icvolay, north and northwest of
Finca Cubilgiiitz to Quebrada Diablo, Steyermark 44788. Between
Yakapur and Sibicte", Steyermark 44942. Between Coban and Finca
Chimote", near Rubeltein, Steyermark 44204. — Guatemala: Guate-
mala City, Lewis 161. — Pete"n: Sabana Zizha, La Libertad, Lundell
2748; 3677. La Libertad, Lundell 3484; 3625. Sabana Tzimintum,
FIG. 31. Spiranthes orchioides. 1, inflorescence (X %); 2, basal part of plant
showing leaves and roots (X M); 3, flower, longitudinally dissected to show the
column ( X 2). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
119
120 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Lundell 3134. La Libertad-Flores road (peloric form), Lundell
3896. Tayasal, Lundell 3897. — Quiche": Jose Ignacio Aguilar 1167. —
Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 3489.
Spiranthes parasitica A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3,
3: 32. 1845. Figure 32.
On dry slopes, under conifers and in mixed pine-hardwood forests
and cloud-forests, also in meadows and moist shaded soil, rarely
epiphytic, up to 3,200 meters alt. Rare in Arizona and Texas,
uncommon in Mexico and Central America.
Plant slender, erect, glabrous below, glandular-puberulent above, 1-3.4 dm.
tall; stem and sheaths brownish red or light brown. Leaves fugacious, when
present basal, with a slender petiole; blade apparently elliptic. Spike very slender,
few-flowered, the flowers scattered, 3.5-7 cm. long. Bracts broadly ovate to
elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, very concave, usually concealing the ovary, scarious,
white or pinkish, margins conspicuously hyaline, 3-nerved, 0.9-1.5 cm. long.
Flowers small, ascending; sepals and petals pink; lip white with three green stripes
extending almost to the apex, with a spongy cinnabar-red tissue on the basal
portion. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 5-7 mm. long,
1.5-2.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely lanceolate, obtuse to acute,
6-8 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely oblanceolate, broadly rounded
to subacute at the apex, irregularly crenate above the middle, 5-6.5 mm. long,
about 1.5 mm. wide. Lip in natural position concave below, strongly recurved
at the apex, constricted just above the middle to form a suborbicular lobule
whose margins are undulate-lacerate, when spread out oblong in outline, 6-9 mm.
long, 3-5 mm. wide; basal portion oblong-quadrate; disk pubescent below on the
cinnabar-red blotch, pubescent on the apical lobule. Column about 4 mm. long.
Capsule ovoid, strongly ribbed, about 7 mm. long.
The persistent cinnabar-red blotch on the lower portion of the
disk of the lip is characteristic of this species. The plants have the
appearance of lacking chlorophyll, very probably the reason for the
name.
Chimaltenango: Chichoy Pass, Cerro Tecpam, Hunnewell 14667.
Santa Elena, Skutch 283. Chichavac, Skutch 305. Volcan Acate-
nango, Hunnewell 14675. — Quezaltenango : Uppermost ridge of
Volcan Santo Tomas, Steyermark 34800.
Spiranthes pauciflora A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se"r. 3,
3: 32. 1845.
Terrestrial on dry open pine slopes and in grassy open places in
oak-pine forest, up to 2,100 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico,
Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Plant usually small, erect, up to 4 dm. tall; roots fleshy-clavellate, fasciculate.
Scape slender or stout, greenish white, provided with loose-fitting acuminate
FIG. 32. Spiranthes parasitica. 1, plant (X 14); 2, flower, side view (X 3);
3, lip, spread out (X 5); 4, column, side view (X 5). Malaxis Ehrenbergii. 5,
plant (X M); 6, flower, side view (X 5); 7, flower, front view (X 5). Drawn by
G. W. Dillon.
121
122 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
sheaths, glandular-pubescent throughout with articulated hairs. Leaves usually
withering away before time of flowering, when present basal, with a slender
petiole; lamina elliptic to elliptic-obovate, abruptly acute, about 16 cm. long
(including the petiole), about 5 cm. wide. Spike short, composed of one to six
suberect flowers, rarely more. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, acuminate,
longitudinally concave, up to 3 cm. long. Flowers fleshy, pale greenish, veined
with darker green, with stout pubescent pedicellate ovaries. Dorsal sepal fleshy
and concave below, rather thin and flat above, narrowly lanceolate, tapering to
the obtuse to acute apex, 2.2-2.5 cm. long, about 4 mm. wide below the middle.
Lateral sepals fleshy, obliquely linear, slightly dilated at the obtuse apex, pubescent
on the outer surface, longitudinally sulcate, strongly keeled on the back, 2.5-3.2
cm. long, 4.5-6.5 mm. wide at the widest point. Petals somewhat fleshy, adherent
to the dorsal sepal, obliquely linear, obtuse, ciliate on the margins especially at
the apex, 1.7-2 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Lip fleshy, 2.4-3.5 cm. long, constricted
above the middle with the lower portion oblanceolate and the apical portion tri-
angular-ovate and obtuse or acute when spread out; below the constriction longi-
tudinally concave, 5-7 mm. wide at the widest point; above the constriction the
margins strongly involute, 5-9 mm. wide, conspicuously veined; disk puberulent
with a pair of short keels below the constriction and a small tuft of hair at the
apex of each keel; basal callosities fleshy, smooth, tapering to an acute apex, up
to 5 mm. long.
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along Rillito del Volcan de Monos,
Volcan de Monos, Steyermark 42358.
Spiranthes polyantha Reichb. f. Linnaea 18: 408. 1844.
Figure 33.
On and among rocks on hills and in lava fields, on springy bluffs
and ledges and in leaf-mold in coniferous and hardwood forests,
up to 2,500 meters alt. Widespread in southern Florida, Mexico
and Guatemala, the Bahama Islands, Puerto Rico and Santo
Domingo.
Plant scapose, very slender, erect, flexuose or sinuate-ascending, glabrous
below, sparsely pubescent above, 1.5-5.8 dm. tall. Roots tuberous, fleshy, fascicu-
late. Stem purplish. Leaves clustered at the base, spreading, with slender
petioles, elliptic or oblanceolate to linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acuminate, con-
spicuously reticulate-veined (when dry), 5-28 cm. long, 1.5-5 cm. wide across
the blade, reduced above to somewhat inflated sheathing acuminate-attenuate
bracts. Spike loosely or densely many-flowered, slender, flexuose, 5-35 cm. long,
1-1.5 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate,
4-11 mm. long. Flowers greenish, grayish green or greenish purple, strongly
ringent and spreading. Sepals linear to linear-lanceolate, subacute to acute, 3.2-7
mm. long, about 1 mm. wide near the base; dorsal sepal strongly recurved upward
FIG. 33. Spiranthes polyantha. 1, plant (X H); 2, flower, side view (X 4);
3, flower, front view, spread open (X 3) ; 4, column, side view ( X 5) ; 5, column,
front-ventral view (X 5). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
123
124 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
above the middle; lateral sepals falcate, upcurved. Petals adherent to the dorsal
sepal, linear, somewhat falcate, strongly recurved upward above the middle,
3-5.5 mm. long, less than 1 mm. wide. Lip elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceo-
late, subacute to acuminate, usually narrowed and strongly arcuate-recurved
below the middle, 3.5-6.5 mm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide at the widest point; basal
callosities minute. Column about 2.5 mm. long. Capsule sessile, ellipsoid, blunt,
4.5-6 mm. long.
Zacapa: Lava cap near Rincon, alt. 2,500 feet (760 meters), Mar-
garet Ward Lewis 157 (in part).
Spiranthes prasophylla Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 65.
1866 (type: Guatemala, on tree between Hacienda de Pantaleon
and Sapote, January 20, 1857, Wendland). S. epiphytica Schltr.
Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 130. 1906 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz,
epiphytic near Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 687; near Coban, Turckheim
1406). Figure 34.
Epiphytic, on rotten logs and rarely terrestrial in moist dense
forests, usually at low altitudes, up to 1,300 meters alt. Uncommon
in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant low, glabrous below, sparsely pubescent above, 7-25 cm. tall; scape
scarcely exceeding the basal leaves. Leaves basal, subsessile or with short slender
petioles; lamina elliptic-oblong, acute, rather fleshy, glossy, pale green or purplish
green, mostly oblique and tapering into the petiole, 5.5-14 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm.
wide; petiole up to 6 cm. long. Spike loosely flowered, often unilateral, 3.5-12 cm.
long, 2-2.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 1-1.5
cm. long. Flowers ascending, green or greenish white, often marked with dark
red or lavender. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, concave below the
middle, 5-6 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate,
acuminate, 6-8 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Petals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse
to subacute, with the anterior margin slightly dilated, oblique, 4.5-5.2 mm.
long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip sagittate, constricted above the middle and then
dilated to form an obovate or flabellate apical lobule, 5.5-6.7 mm. long; basal
portion quadrate or broadly deltoid, with the basal auriculate incurved callosities
very prominent, 3-3.5 mm. wide, the central vein usually carinate or crested along
the upper half; apical lobule with crenulate margins, broadly rounded or sinuately
tridentate at the apex, 2.2-3.2 mm. wide. Column about 4 mm. long.
A discussion of the near relationship of S. prasophylla to S. elata
has been included under that species.
Alta Verapaz: Along Rio Icvolay, north and northwest of Finca
Cubilgiiitz to Quebrada Diablo, Steyermark 44737. — Izabal: York
trail about two miles from Virginia, Margaret Lewis 22. — Pete"n:
Low forest between Finca Yalpemech and Chinaja, Steyermark
45438.
FIG. 34. Spiranthes prasophylla. Plant (X l);lip (lower right; X 5). Drawn
by Blanche Ames.
125
126 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Spiranthes prasophylla Reichb. f. var. cleistogama Ames &
Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 65. 1942 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, Turckheim II 1673).
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 1,400 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant slender, weakly erect, glabrous below, pubescent above, 1-3 dm. tall.
Scape slender, two to three times longer than the leaves, provided with several
acuminate bracts. Leaves basal, several, clustered, mostly subsessile, occasionally
shortly petiolate; lamina elliptic-lanceolate, acute, up to 8 cm. long and 2.5 cm.
wide. Spike usually conspicuously secund, up to 31 cm. long. Flowers green,
cleistogamous, smaller than those of the typical form. Lip pandurate, strongly
triangular-deltoid as in the typical form, constricted near the apex to form a
triangular-quadrate tridentate lobule at the apex; callosities thin, triangular, inside
the basal margin.
Variety cleistogama differs from the typical form of the species
mainly in its much longer scape, which greatly exceeds the leaves,
its conspicuously secund spike, and its cleistogamous flowers.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Spiranthes pyramidalis Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PL 473. 1840.
(type: Guatemala, common, Skinner). S. cobanensis Schltr. Beih.
Bot. Centralb. 36, Abt. 2: 377. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta
Verapaz, near Coban, F. C. Lehmanri).
In dry thickets, pine and oak forests, in leaf mold among lava
rocks and on loamy exposed slopes, up to 2,300 meters alt. Wide-
spread and rather common in Mexico and Guatemala, uncommon
in El Salvador.
Plant slender, glabrous except for the pilose ovaries and flowers, 2-7.5 dm.
tall; stem concealed by whitish scarious-membranous loosely imbricating tubular
sheaths. Leaves fugacious, when present basal, with rather long petioles; lamina
oval to elliptic-lanceolate, acute to subacuminate, tapering into the petiole, 6-13
cm. long, 2.3-5.5 cm. wide; petiole 6-15 cm. long. Spike densely flowered, cylin-
drical, pyramidal, 5-19 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm. in diameter. Bracts reddish brown,
scarious, deeply concave and enclosing the ovary, ovate-ringent, elliptic, acuminate,
1-2 cm. long, 6-10 mm. wide. Flowers ringent, dull white, yellow or greenish with
a pink tinge, the perianth segments often reticulate-veined. Dorsal sepal elliptic-
lanceolate, acuminate, abruptly upcurved at the middle and concave below,
7-9 mm. long, 2-4 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, subobtuse to
acute and recurved at the apex, somewhat united at the base to form a short
mentum, 6-8 mm. long, 1.2-2.1 mm. wide below the middle. Petals linear-elliptic,
obtuse and recurved at the apex, sigmoid, 5-6 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lip
with a short broad claw, ovate to ovate-oblong, obtuse to subacute, concave,
abruptly arcuate-recurved near the middle, 4.2-6 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide
below the middle; disk marked with fine brownish striations; lateral basal callosi-
ties submarginal, mammillate. Column short, about 2.5 mm. long.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 127
Amatitlan: Pacaya, Johnston 1468. — Baja Verapaz: Rocky hills
near and above Santa Rosa, in pine-oak forest, Standley 91072.
Along margin of the big swamp below Pantin, Standley 91163.
Below Patal, Standley 91119. Near Santa Rosa, Turckheim II 2220.
North of Santa Rosa, Standley 69881. — Chimaltenango: Finca Ala-
meda, Johnston 1821. — Sacatepe"quez : Volcan de Fuego, Smith 2634.
Near Santa Maria, Hunnewell 14672. — Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa,
Heyde & Lux 3492. San Rafael, Margaret Lewis 159.
Spiranthes rosulata (W. Baxt.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc.
p. 60. 1843. Sarcoglottis rosulata W. Baxt. in Loud. Hort. Brit.
Suppl. 3: 634. 1839 (type: Guatemala). Sarcoglottis orbiculata Ames,
Sched. Orch. 2: 10. 1923 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Quiche", San
Miguel Uspantan, Heyde & Lux).
Terrestrial, on forest slopes and along streams, up to 2,100
meters alt. Very rare in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and
Honduras.
Plant low, slender or stout, glabrous below, pubescent above with articulated
hairs, 1.8-3 dm. tall. Leaves basal, rosulate, oblong to orbicular, obtuse to
abruptly acute, rather thin to subcoriaceous, 5-10 cm. long (including the short
petiole), 1.3-6.7 cm. wide. Spike short, few-flowered, rather close, about 5 cm.
long. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 1.5-3 cm. long. Flowers green,
conspicuously marked with deep green stripes, arcuate-recurved. Sepals coarsely
pubescent with articulated hairs on the outer surface; dorsal sepal lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, strongly recurved at the apex, 1.7-2.2 cm. long and about
3 mm. wide; lateral sepals linear-lanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, subobtuse to
acute, falcate, 1.5-2 cm. long and 2.5-4 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear to
linear-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, ciliate along the outer margin, about as
long as the lateral sepals. Lip 2-2.6 cm. long and about 4 mm. wide, with the
lower part narrowly oblanceolate, constricted near the apex to form a short
isthmus, then expanded into an ovate or oblong obtuse or acute lobule with finely
ciliate margins; disk pubescent at the base, with two parallel patches of fine hairs
just below the constriction; basal lateral callosities linear-terete, incurved, 3-4 mm.
long. Column slender, about 1 cm. long.
This species differs from S. acaulis, to which it is closely allied,
by the orbiculate type of leaves and the shape of the lip of the
flower. The portion of the lip below the slight constriction is essen-
tially linear instead of being obovate as in S. acaulis. The apical
portion of the lip also differs somewhat from that of S. acaulis.
Chiquimula: Montana Nube (Montana Volcanitos), between
Socorro Mountain and Cerro Brujo, southeast of Conception de las
Minas, Steyermark 30898. — Guatemala: Near Guatemala, 1860,
Hayes. Road beyond San Juan Sacatepe"quez, about 35 km. from
128 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Guatemala City, Margaret W. Lewis 191 (this specimen is sterile but
probably represents this species). — Huehuetenango : Pine-wooded
slopes, along Rio Selegua, opposite San Sebastian H., Steyermark
50471. — Sacatepe"quez : Along Rio Guacalate, on road between
Antigua and Chimaltenango, Standley 81003. — Zacapa: Rich forested
slopes in deep ravine along Rio Lima, Sierra de las Minas, between
Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca Alejandria, Steyermark
29601. On hill back of Hotel Manchen, Porter 12.
Spiranthes rubrocalosa Robins. & Greenm. Am. Journ. Sci.
50: 165. 1895.
Terrestrial in forests of cypress, fir and Arbutus and on stumps,
up to 2,700 meters alt. Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant slender or stout, erect, glabrous or somewhat pubescent, 2-3.5 dm. tall,
with 2-4 fleshy oblong tuberous roots; stem provided with sheathing, sharply
acuminate bracts. Leaves 2, basal when present, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate,
tapering into the slender petiole, 10-12.5 cm. long including the petiole, 1-1.3
cm. wide. Spike cylindrical, dense or laxly few- to many-flowered, 7-18 cm. long,
1-1.5 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts obliquely ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acumi-
nate, 1-1.5 cm. long, 4.5-6.5 mm. wide. Flowers small, greenish white, conspicu-
ously arcuate-decurved. Sepals 4-5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide; dorsal sepal oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse to acute and recurved at the apex, canaliculate below the middle;
lateral sepals obliquely oblong-lanceolate, subacute to acute. Petals obliquely
linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, conspicuously 1-nerved, 4-4.5 mm. long, 1-1.5
mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, ovate to ovate-elliptic, narrowly obtuse to some-
what truncate at the apex, inconspicuously auricled on each side at the base,
ciliate along the somewhat inflexed apical margin, 4-5 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm.
wide; disk with two bright red oblong callosities in the middle portion for two-
thirds its length. Column 3-4 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to Spiranthes parasitica but differs
from that species in the stoutness of the plant, the smaller flowers
and the entire, not lobed, lip.
Chimaltenango: Santa Elena, Skutch 439.
Spiranthes sarcoglossa A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3,
3: 31. 1845.
In grass under conifers, usually above 3,000 meters alt. Very
rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant erect, stout or slender, glabrous below, glandular-ciliate above, 2.3-5
dm. tall; stem leafy. Leaves mostly on the lower part of the stem, linear-lanceolate,
obtuse to acuminate, 5-17 cm. long, 0.8-2 cm. wide. Spike slender, rather loosely
flowered, 9-20 cm. long, about 1.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts ovate-quadrate to
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, deeply concave, concealing the ovaries, conspicu-
ously glandular-ciliate along the upper margins, 8-14 mm. long, about 5 mm. wide
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 129
when spread out. Flowers green, inconspicuous. Dorsal sepal orbicular-ovate,
acute and strongly recurved at the apex, deeply concave, 3-3.5 mm. long, about
3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals strongly revolute in natural position, when spread
out broadly oblong-deltoid to oblong-lanceolate, subobtuse to acute and slightly
oblique at the apex, 3.8-4.2 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Petals adherent to the
dorsal sepal to form a galea, linear, acute, falcate, sparsely glandular-ciliate along
the margins, 3.8-4.3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip thick, fleshy, with a short
stout claw, the margins undulate-crisped, in natural position deeply concave with
the sides suberect, when spread out suborbicular to broadly flabellate, often broader
than long, broadly rounded to subtruncate with a reflexed apicule at the apex,
3.5-4.2 mm. long, 4-4.5 mm. wide. Column about 2 mm. long, with a prominent
foot.
The general appearance of S. sarcoglossa is similar to several
species of Habenaria, for example H. limosa. It is superficially
distinguishable from other Spiranthes in Guatemala by the glandular-
ciliate margins of its floral bracts and by its blunt lip, which out-
wardly appears to be much shorter than the petals and sepals.
Huehuetenango: Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, 11,100 feet, rare,
Skutch 1255.
Spiranthes Schaffneri Reichb. f. Linnaea 28: 382. 1856.
Pelexia saccata Rolfe, Kew Bull. 195. 1895 (type: Guatemala).
Sarcoglottis Schaffneri (Reichb. f.) Ames in J. D. Smith, Enum. PI.
Guat. 7: 50. 1905. S. zamororae Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 13. 1923
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Santa Rosa, Zamorora, Heyde &Lux 4625).
In deep vegetable mold in open or dense moist woods or in open
grassy patches among rocks, up to 3,000 meters alt. Rather common
in Mexico but apparently uncommon in Guatemala.
Plant slender, glabrous below, glandular-pubescent above with whitish hairs,
2.5-7.3 dm. tall; stem yellowish or reddish brown. Leaves absent at time of
anthesis, when present subsessile or with a short petiole, oblong-elliptic to linear-
oblong or broadly oblanceolate, abruptly acute, often oblique; lamina 8-33 cm.
long, 3-9.5 cm. wide. Spike cylindrical, loosely many-flowered, 11-25 cm. long,
2-3.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 1-2.5 cm. long. Flowers
small, arcuate-recurved; sepals and petals brownish pink or greenish; lip white.
Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, deeply concave, 6-10 mm. long, about
3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals (free part) triangular-oblong to narrowly lanceolate,
subobtuse to acute, falcate, 7.5-10 mm. long, 2.5-3.5 mm. wide. Petals narrowly
oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, 6-10 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip oblanceolate
in outline, sagittate, 8-13.5 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide at the widest point, constricted
near the apex to form a quadrate-suborbicular subobtuse reflexed terminal lobule
that has minutely crenulate margins; basal portion below the apical constriction
obovate or subpanduriform, with the basal thickened and subterete incurved
auricles 2-3 mm. long; disk glandular-hairy near the base. Column 4-6 mm. long;
rostellum usually denticulate at the apex.
130 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Guatemala: 25 miles from Guatemala City, Cerro de Nubes,
2,600 meters, Margaret W. Lewis 100. Guatemala, Johnston 1608.—
Solola: Volcan San Pedro, north-facing slopes towards Lago de
Atitlan, above village of San Pedro, Steyermark 47182.
Spiranthes seminuda Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 18. 1906.
Terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic in forests, usually at high
elevations, up to 2,500 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico and
Guatemala.
Plant erect, up to 32 cm. tall, glabrous below, pubescent above, provided at
the base with one or more tubular sheaths. Scape slender, terete, provided with
several tubular clasping acuminate sheaths. Leaves usually present at time of
flowering, basal, several, with a slender petiole; lamina elliptic to ovate-elliptic,
acute, up to 17 cm. long including the petiole, 2-5 cm. wide. Spike laxly few-
to many-flowered, somewhat one-sided, up to 15 cm. long. Floral bracts elliptic-
lanceolate, long-acuminate, concave, scarious, smooth, exceeding the flowers.
Flowers small, fleshy, pale yellowish green with a white lip, arcuate-nodding, with
stout pubescent pedicellate ovaries. Sepals oblong-elliptic to elliptic-oblanceolate,
obtuse to subacute, pubescent on the outer surface, somewhat dorsally keeled
near the apex with the keel sometimes exserted as a short mucro, 6-12 mm. long,
2-3.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals adherent to the dorsal sepal,
obliquely linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, much narrowed at the base, 7-12 mm. long,
2-2.5 mm. wide above the middle. Lip fleshy, shortly clawed, narrowly sagittate
at the base, dilated about the middle and then contracted above; lamina ovate
to ovate-lanceolate in outline, somewhat dilated at the obtuse apex, 7-11 mm.
long, 3-5 mm. wide about the middle; disk puberulent-granulose near the apex;
basal callosities short, terete. Column terete, dilated at the apex, up to 9 mm.
long.
Huehuetenango : Near Todos Santos, Melhus & Goodman 3608.
Spiranthes speciosa (J. F. Gmelin) A. Rich, in La Sagra, Fl.
Cub. Fan. 11: 252. 1853. Serapias speciosa J. F. Gmelin, Syst. 59.
1791.
Usually epiphytic or in tree-holes in humid forests, also terrestrial,
on rocks in thickets and in open plains, up to 3,000 meters alt.
Throughout the West Indies, Mexico and Central and northern
South America.
Plant short, stout, glabrous throughout, 1-5 dm. tall. Leaves basal, sessile
or with short broad petioles; lamina orbicular-ovate, elliptic-oblong, oblong-
lanceolate or oblanceolate, abruptly acute or acuminate, tapering into the petiole,
usually silver-spotted, 4-20 cm. long, 2-6 cm. wide; petiole up to 10 cm. long.
Spike short, crowded, with few or many flowers, 4-10 cm. long, 4-7 cm. in diameter.
Bracts exceeding the flowers, narrowly to broadly lanceolate, acuminate, same
color as the flowers, 2.5-4 cm. long, 6-15 mm. wide. Flowers bright red to purple-
red; sepals and petals usually with involute margins near the apex and recurved.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 131
Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, concave below the middle, about 1.3
cm. long and 4 mm. wide. Lateral sepals lanceolate, acuminate, 1.4-1.6 cm.
long, about 4 mm. wide. Petals narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, slightly
falcate, 1.3-1.4 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Lip sessile, cuneate-lanceolate in
outline, shallowly 3-lobed, acute or obtuse-apiculate at the apex, the lower half
somewhat panduriform, 1.2-1.5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. wide across the lateral lobes;
lateral lobes near the middle, broadly rounded; apical lobe oblong, the margins
involute near the apex, 2.5-3 mm. wide; disk pubescent on the basal portion, with
two flat, thickened calli on each side at the base. Column thick, densely pilose
on the anterior surface, 5-7 mm. long; rostellum bristle-like, 3.5-4 mm. long.
Chimaltenango: Epiphytic, above Tecpam, Skutch 607. Region
of Los Positos, above Las Calderas, Standley 80166. — El Progreso:
Sierra de las Minas, hills north of Finca Piamonte, between Finca
Piamonte and summit of Volcan Santa Luisa, Steyermark 43582.—
Guatemala: Vicinity of Guatemala City, Lewis 161. In market,
Guatemala City, Standley 58544. In market, Guatemala, Johnston
1565. — Zacapa: Trail between Santa Rosalia de Marmol and Vegas,
Steyermark 42908.
Spiranthes stolonifera Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Lean1.
Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 63, pi. 3. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Huehuetenango, Sierra Cuchumatanes [north slope], terrestrial in
mossy ground, open woods, August 23, 1934, A. F. Skutch 1094).
Figure 35.
Terrestrial in open woods and cloud forests, found only at high
elevations (up to 3,500 meters alt.) in Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
where it is apparently endemic.
Plant 9-35 cm. tall, aphyllous at time of flowering, slender, rigidly erect, arising
from a solitary tuberoid, stoloniferous, slightly geniculate at the base, glabrous
below, the upper part covered with a hoary puberulence; stolons producing at
intervals solitary small ovoid tuberoids that are as much as 2 cm. long. Stem
provided with appressed green tubular sheaths that are rather abruptly subobtuse
to acute. Inflorescence two-flowered. Flowers white marked with orange or
vermilion-red, subtended by large bracts; pedicellate ovaries covered with a reddish
brown glandular puberulence. Floral bracts green, lanceolate, acuminate, about
3.5 cm. long, with involute margins. Sepals densely tuber culose-puberulent on
the margins and outer surface. Dorsal sepal strongly recurved above the middle,
concave below, elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to shortly subacuminate, prominently
5-nerved, 1.9-2 cm. long, 4.5-6.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals free, divergent, directed
downward, lightly carinate along the central nerve, lanceolate, subobtuse to acute,
slightly oblique, prominently 3-nerved, 1.7-2 cm. long, 3.1-3.5 mm. wide. Petals
conspicuously falcate, oblanceolate, obtuse, gradually tapering below the middle,
1.8-2 cm. long, 3-3.2 mm. wide above the middle. Lip arcuate-decurved in natural
position, oblong-oblanceolate, constricted above the middle, 1.8-2.2 cm. long;
lower portion below the constriction thick, sulcate, minutely pubescent and con-
cave-saccate at the base, provided with submarginal obscure fleshy mammillate
FIG. 35. Spiranthes stolonifera. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, front-side view
(X 2); 3, flower, front view (X 2); 4, lip, column, and lateral sepals, spread open
(X 2); 5, petals and dorsal sepal, spread out (X 2). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
132
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 133
callosities on each side at the base, with the margins upturned and slightly undu-
late, puberulent on the margins and outer surface; apical portion above the con-
striction flat and spreading, broadly ovate to elliptic-subquadrate, broadly rounded
to subtruncate or lightly retuse at the apex, with the margin somewhat undulate-
crenulate; disk with a sulcate cinnabar-red or deep orange-colored callus on the
lower portion. Column clavellate, about 1.2 cm. long, toothed at the apex.
This species is closely allied to S. hyemalis, but differs from that
species in several characters. Spiranthes stolonifera is a rigidly erect,
aphyllous plant that develops tuber-bearing stolons. The stem-
sheaths are closely appressed and are always abruptly subobtuse to
acute. The sepals and petals are also obtuse to acute. Plants of
S. hyemalis rise from a cluster of fusiform- thickened roots, and the
stem, which is commonly flexuose, is leafy below and provided above
with rather loose sheaths. The sheaths are acuminate and divergent
at the apex. The sepals and petals are ordinarily long-acuminate.
Huehuetenango : Sierra Cuchumatanes, rocky ridge beneath pines,
Skutch 1254. In juniper woods, Cerro Chemal, summit of Sierra
de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 50297. Wet cloud forest of oaks
and pines, between San Mateo Ixtatan and Santa Eulalia, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49903. Juniper ravine, alpine areas
in vicinity of Tunima, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
48386.
Spiranthes Tonduzii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 9: 26. 1912.
In dense forests in leaf mold and on rotten logs among rocks, up
to 550 meters. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and
Costa Rica.
Plant very slender, glabrous below, copiously pubescent above with short
brown articulated hairs, 2-3.8 dm. tall. Leaves basal, sessile or with short broad
petioles, pale green, glaucous, flaccid; lamina oval to elliptic-oblong, acute or shortly
acuminate, mostly oblique, 6.5-26 cm. long, 3-6.5 cm. wide; petiole up to 3.5 cm.
long. Spike narrowly cylindrical, loosely flowered, 8-25 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. in
diameter. Bracts elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, incurved,
1-2 cm. long, about 4 mm. wide. Flowers small, dull white and light yellow.
Sepals sparingly pubescent on the outer surface, with the margins involute above
the middle; dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, obtuse to subacute, concave, 5.2-5.5 mm.
long, 2-2.2 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, obtuse, usually widest above
the middle, 6-7 mm. long to base of short mentum, 2-3 mm. wide. Petals obliquely
oblanceolate, obtuse, with the margins involute above the middle, 5-5.5 mm. long,
1.5-2.2 mm. wide. Lip in natural position conspicuously arcuate-deflexed above
the middle with the apex curved back toward the rachis, with the margins upturned
and undulate-crisped, finely hirsute below on the outer surface, when spread out
linear-oblanceolate to linear-spatulate, obtuse to subacute, somewhat dilated
above and finely ciliate along the apical margin, 5.5-7 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide at the widest point; disk with a puberulent tuft along the center near the
134 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
middle; basal lateral callosities terete or semiterete, acute, about 1 mm. long.
Column short, thickened, about 3 mm. long; rostellum cuspidate, about 0.5 mm.
long. Capsule ovoid, 1 cm. long.
Izabal: Los Amates, C. C. Deam 96.
Spiranthes tortilis (Sw.) L. C. Rich. Orch. Europ. Ann. 37.
1817 (in Me"m. Mus. Hist. Nat. Par. 4: 59. 1818). Neottia tortilis
Sw. Kongl. Sven. Vet. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 226. 1800.
Terrestrial in open grassy plains, dry pinelands and shallow soil
of rock crevices, at low altitudes. Widespread from Florida to
Louisiana and in the West Indies and Trinidad; rare in Guatemala,
British Honduras and Nicaragua.
Plant slender, glabrous below, subglabrous to somewhat pubescent above,
up to 7 dm. tall. Leaves basal when present, filiform-terete to narrowly linear,
8-30 cm. long. Inflorescence a slender twisted spike composed of a single row of
flowers, 3-22 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, mostly
with hyaline margins, 3-7 mm. long. Flowers white marked with green. Sepals
3.5-6.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide; dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate,
subacute to acute; lateral sepals lanceolate, acute to acuminate. Petals adhering
to the dorsal sepal, linear to linear-spatulate, obtuse to subacute, 3.5-5.5 mm.
long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip ovate, oblong-quadrate or orbicular-quadrate, often
conspicuously constricted just above the middle, strongly recurved, green on
the central portion of the disk with the apical margin crenulate-wavy and whitish,
3-6 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide; basal callosities slender or stout, mammillate.
This species is closely allied to Spiranthes graminea Lindl., of
Mexico, but is separated from that species mainly by its differently
formed lip and usually almost glabrous rachis and ovaries.
Izabal: Cristina, Blake 7567. Between Milla 49.5 and Cristina,
Steyermark 38660.
Spiranthes trilineata Lindl. in Benth. PI. Hartw. 94. 1842
(type: Guatemala, Valley of Guatemala, January, Hartweg). Dei-
regyne trilineata (Lindl.) Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37, Abt. 2:
428. 1920.
Grasslands and in mixed oak and pine forests, up to 2,500 meters
alt. Very rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant short, erect, somewhat stout, glabrous, 8-15 cm. tall. Leaves fugacious,
basal when present. Spike lax, few-flowered, 2-6 cm. long, about 2.5 cm. in
diameter. Bracts broadly ovate to oblong-lanceolate, scarious, with 3 conspicuous
nerves, acuminate, 8-12 mm. long. Flowers dull white, rather large for the plant,
ascending. Sepals recurved at the apex; dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate, acute or
broadly acuminate, 8-10 mm. long, 2-2.2 mm. wide; lateral sepals linear-lanceolate
or linear-oblong, subobtuse or acute, falcate, 8.5-11 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide.
Petals narrowly linear, acute or subacuminate, 8-9.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 135
Lip elliptic-oblanceolate, sagittate, broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex, with
the lateral margins turned upward, fleshy and somewhat decurved at the apex;
disk pubescent on the basal portion, 9-12 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide at the widest
point; basal calli obtuse, auriculate. Column about 1 cm. long.
Guatemala: Skinner.
Spiranthes trilineata var. thelymitra (Reichb. f.) L. 0. Wms.
in Correll, Lloydia 10: 209. 1947. Spiranthes thelymitra Reichb. f.
Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 66. 1866 (type: Guatemala, near Oratoria
and Yalpataqua, July 2, 1857, Wendland 379). Deiregyne thelymitra
(Reichb. f.) Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37, Abt. 2: 428. 1920.
More widespread than typical S. trilineata, being found in Mexico,
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Variety thelymitra differs from the typical form in that the lip is conspicuously
constricted near the apex to form a suborbicular lobule that is fleshy and covered
with minute papillae, with the margins somewhat undulate.
Chimaltenango: Near Chimaltenango, Bequaert 6. Alameda,
Johnston 575. — Guatemala: Along road between Guatemala and San
Raimundo, Standley 63010. Pamplona (collected by Margaret
Lewis), Standley 64518. Pamplona, Margaret Lewis 155. La Aurora,
Morales 620. — Escuintla: Morales Ruano 980.— Sacatepe"quez : Near
Santa Maria, 6,000 feet, Hunnewell 14678.— Zacapa: Sierra de las
Minas, between Santa Rosalia and Vegona, Steyermark 43135.
Spiranthes vernalis Engelm. & Gray, Boston Jour. Nat. Hist.
5: 236. 1845. Figure 36.
In meadows and open forests, up to 3,100 meters alt. A rather
common and widespread species in the United States, uncommon
in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant stout or slender, densely and copiously pubescent above, 1.2-11 dm.
tall. Leaves basal or extending partly up the stem, suberect and ascending, linear
to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, often strongly keeled. Spike rather densely
flowered, 3-15 cm. long, about 1.5 cm. in diameter; the rachis and ovaries mostly
covered by a dense mat of reddish brown, articulated hairs. Floral bracts broadly
ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate-elongate, concave, 7-15 mm. long. Flowers
greenish or yellowish white, in a single rank (rarely in two ranks) ; parts of perianth
somewhat pubescent on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate to
lanceolate, obtuse to acute, concave, 5.5-10 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide near the
base. Lateral sepals lanceolate, acute, 5-9.5 mm. long. Petals adherent to the
dorsal sepal, linear to linear-elliptic, obtuse, 5-9 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Lip
thickened, broadly ovate to rhombic-ovate, occasionally ovate-oblong, arcuate-
recurved, usually somewhat expanded and undulate-crenulate on the margin at
the apex, 4.5-8 mm. long, 2.5-6 mm. wide near the base; lateral basal callosities
stout, incurved, pubescent.
136 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This is a very variable species. It is characterized by its more or
less densely pubescent rachis and ovaries. The flowers are usually
very fragrant. The thick ovate lip and typically rigid acuminate
leaves and sheaths of the stem readily separate this species from
S. graminea Lindl. of Mexico. The lip of S. graminea is typically
thin and oblong-quadrate and the leaves and sheaths are rather lax
and obtuse to acute.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1832. Between Tactic and
Coban, Turckheim II 2334. — Chimaltenango : Chichavac, Skutch
362. — Huehuetenango: Top of Cerro Chemalito, Sierra de los
Cuchumatanes, 3^ miles west of Santa Eulalia, Steyermark 49920.
Cerro Canana, between Nucapuxlac and Canana, Sierra de los
Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49000. Swamp along creek below Nuca,
between Nuca and Quetzal, Steyermark 49780.
EXCLUDED SPECIES
Spiranthes gutterosa Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 67. 1866.
This species was reported (as Sarcoglottis gutterosa (Reichb. f.)
Ames) in Bonn. Smith, Enum. PL Guat. 7: 49. 1905, as occurring
in Dept. Alta Verapaz (Turckheim 7993). We have seen no material
referable to this plant. On the basis of an illustration of the scape
and analytical drawings of the flowers, which we have seen from
the Reichenbach Herbarium, it is doubtless a form of S. acaulis
and perhaps should be included in that species.
Spiranthes lupulina (Lindl.) Hemsl. Biol. Centr.-Am. 3: 301. 1885.
This plant was reported from Guatemala by Hemsley. We have
seen neither material nor record of the type of this plant and are
unable to place it correctly. It appears to be closely allied to S.
aurantiaca and perhaps may prove to be referable to that species.
The description is as follows: Scape glabrous at the base, pubescent
above, clothed with cucullate obtuse glabrous imbricating scarious
sheaths. Spike oblong, lupulinous. Bracts oblong-lanceolate, villous
at the base, much longer than the elongate-conical flowers. Ovary
obovate, very villous, twice as short as the villous sepals. Petals
pilose. Lip ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, obtuse, pubescent within,
biconvex and glabrous at the base.
FIG. 36. Spiranthes vernalis. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, front view (X 4); 3,
flower, side view (X 4) ; 4, lip, spread out ( X 4) ; 5, column (X 4) ; 6, pollen tetrad
(highly magnified); 7, lateral sepal (X 4); 8, petal (X 4). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
137
138 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Lindley, in originally describing Stenorhynchus lupulinus (Gen.
& Sp. Orch. PI. 479. 1840), wrote as follows: "Apparently a very
handsome plant. The stem before me is a foot high, and covered
with ventricose leafy imbricated sheaths; the bracts are 3 inches
long and an inch broad, and have been of some bright colour, prob-
ably pink; they are so large as to form a spike like a head of hops,
within which the flowers are concealed."
15. GOODYERA R. Br.
Terrestrial, scapose herbs with creeping rootstocks bearing several thick
fibrous roots and with the alternate leaves basal or on the lower part of the stem.
Leaves ovate to lanceolate, dark or bluish green, often reticulate-veined or varie-
gated with white, rising from somewhat inflated sheaths, reduced above to sheath-
ing bracts. Inflorescence a lax or dense cylindrical terminal spike. Flowers small,
white or pink, often tinged with yellow or green, the oblique petals connivent with
the dorsal sepal forming a hood over the lip. Lip sessile, deeply concave or saccate,
straight or recurved at the apex, entire, the disk often adorned with glands or
fleshy processes. Column short; anther borne on the back; pollinia two, attached to
a narrow gland that is held between the forked or 2-toothed beak that terminates
the column. Capsule erect, ovoid to ellipsoid.
This genus consists of about twenty-five species that are found
in boreal, temperate and tropical regions throughout the world.
The typically variegated leaves of many of the species and the
spurless lip are characteristic of the genus.
Lip more than 5 mm. long G. major.
Lip less than 5 mm. long G. striata.
Goodyera major Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ.
10, no. 4: 68, pi. 4. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Zacapa, cloud
forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Alejandria, summit of Sierra
de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria, alt. 2,500 meters, October
13, 1939, J. A. Steyermark 29886). Figure 37.
Terrestrial in mountain forests, up to 2,600 meters alt. Ap-
parently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant from a prostrate rhizome, erect-ascending, large for the genus, 5-7 dm.
tall. Stem leafy and glabrous on the lower half, bracteate and glandular-pubescent
above; bracts acuminate, 1.5-3.5 cm. long. Leaves five to eight, rather large,
with conspicuous inflated clasping petioles; petioles tubular at the base, up to
4 cm. long; lamina obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, thick-membranaceous,
7.5-11.5 cm. long, 2-3.5 cm. wide. Raceme spicate, cylindrical, rather densely
flowered, 6.5-7 cm. long, 2.5 cm. in diameter; rachis glandular-pubescent. Floral
ee
orre
FIG. 37. Goodyera major. 1, plant (X 1A}\ 2, flower, side view (X 5); 3,
flower, spread open (X 3); 4, lip, partly spread out (X 6). Drawn by G. W.
Dillon.
139
140 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, glandular-pubescent, 9-12 mm. long, about
3.5 mm. wide near the base. Flowers ringent, with stout glandular-pubescent
pedicellate ovaries that are about 1 cm. long. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, tapering
to an obtuse apex, 1-nerved, canaliculate, 6-6.5 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals somewhat oblique, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 1-nerved, concave
below, 6.5 mm. long, 3.2 mm. wide below the middle. Petals with a slender claw,
adherent to the dorsal sepal, semirhombic, obtuse, 1-nerved, erose on the outer
margin, slightly denticulate on the inner margin above the middle, 6 mm. long, 2.5
mm. wide about the middle. Lip sessile, arcuate in natural position, with a globose-
saccate base, the sac about 2.5 mm. deep and provided with papillae on the inner
surface, 3-nerved, erose on the margins above the middle; when spread out broadly
oblong-pandurate with a suborbicular-ovate base, 6 mm. long, 4.5 mm. wide across
the base, 2.5-3 mm. wide across the apical portion, constricted above the middle
and dilated at the broadly rounded to truncate or retuse apex, the apical portion
minutely plicate. Column stout, terete, about 4 mm. long.
Goodyera major is the largest known Central American species
in this genus. The lip is nearest in shape to that of G. modesta
Schltr., a Costa Rican species. However, G. modesta, besides having
much smaller flowers than G. major, has an entire lip and linear petals.
The nearest ally, G. dolabripetala (Ames) Schltr., not only has a
laxly flowered raceme of smaller flowers, but the lip has entire
margins and is described and illustrated as ovate-lanceolate.
The following collection is in fruit but probably represents this
species. Zacapa: Terrestrial, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro
de Monos, Steyermark 42785.
Goodyera striata Reichb. f. Linnaea 18: 409. 1844.
In mixed oak-pine forests, in leaf mold and on decaying stumps
and logs in dense moist forests, up to 3,000 meters alt. Rather
common in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant slender, 2.4-5.2 dm. tall; stem densely or sparingly pubescent with
whitish or brown articulated hairs, green or tinged with pink. Leaves basal or
on the lower part of the stem, with short- winged petioles; lamina ovate to lanceo-
late, acute to shortly acuminate, glabrous, variegated with white, 3.5-10 cm. long,
1.5-4 cm. wide; petiole 2.5-4 cm. long. Spike narrowly cylindrical-pyramidal,
6-19 cm. long, about 1.5 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 7-12 mm.
long. Flowers small, dull white, yellowish or pale pink. Dorsal sepal lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, concave below, recurved at the apex, 3.5-4.2 mm. long, 1.5-2
mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, acute or shortly acuminate, 3.5-4.1
mm. long, about 2.2 mm. wide. Petals oblanceolate, acute, dilated on the outer
margin above the middle, 3.3-4.5 mm. long, about 1.8 mm. wide. Lip sessile,
in natural position deeply concave with the margins upturned, when spread out
suborbicular-ovate, obtuse to acute, 3.2-4.2 mm. long, 3.5-4.2 mm. wide; disk
with small sacs at base, the sacs bearing several fleshy hooked processes, with two
hairy fleshy glands on each side near the base. Column 2.5 mm. long. Capsule
obliquely ellipsoid, about 1 cm. long.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 141
Alta Verapaz: Samac, Johnson 779. — Chimaltenango: Chichavac,
Skutch 557. Region of Los Positos, above Las Calderas, Standley
80234; 80301.— Amatitlan: Pacaya, Johnston 1401.— Chiquimula:
Upper slopes of Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of El Barriol, Steyer-
mark 30827. — El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, between Finca
Piamonte and top of Montana Piamonte, along Joya Pacayal,
Steyermark 43666. — Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, above Las
Calderas, Standley 58449. Calderas, Johnston 1116. — Huehuete-
nango: Cerro Canana, between Nucapuxlac and Canana, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49106. Moist forest on summit,
Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan, Steyermark 50648. —
Jalapa: Volcan Jumay, north of Jalapa, Steyermark 32452. — San
Marcos: Between San Sebastian and Todos Santos, upper slopes
of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 36961. Bordering Rio Vega,
between San Rafael at northeast portion of Volcan Tacana and
Guatemala-Mexico line, Steyermark 36362. — Solola: Volcan Santa
Clara, south-facing slopes to summit, Steyermark 46970. One-third
way up slopes, Volcan San Pedro, north-facing slopes towards Lago
de Atitlan, above village of San Pedro, Steyermark 47262. — Zacapa:
Upper reaches of Rio Sitio Nuevo, Steyermark 43239. Sierra de
las Minas, in cloud forest, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro de
Monos, Steyermark 42784.— Volcan Zunil, Skutch 933; 934.
16. "ERYTHRODES Biume
Terrestrial leafy herbs, with roots at the base of the stem or from the nodes
on the lower part of the stem. Stem erect or prostrate, ascending, often provided
with sheathing bracts. Leaves with short petioles that surround the stem at the
base, ovate to lanceolate, usually reticulate- veined. Inflorescence a dense or loose
spicate raceme of small subsessile flowers. Sepals free, erect or spreading. Petals
coherent with the dorsal sepal to form a galea. Lip lobed or occasionally simple,
produced below into a simple or didymous saccate spur, ascending from the base
of the column, which it lightly embraces. Spur usually provided with four or more
mammillate calli or callus-like structures on the interior near the base. Column
short ; anther erect, the two cells contiguous, distinct ; pollinia two, sectile or granular.
This genus consists of about 100 species, which are found in the
tropics and sub tropics of both hemispheres. These species are at
times most perplexing, particularly since a number of ill-defined
concepts have been segregated. The apical lobule of the lip may be
variously interpreted as being simple, 2-lobed or 3-lobulate. An
effort has been made to clarify this difficulty in critical cases. The
typically variegated leaves of many of the species and the spurred
lip are characteristic of the genus.
142 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
1. Lip ovate, not constricted E. ovatilabia.
1. Lip not ovate, more or less constricted.
2. Lip including the saccate spur less than 7 mm. long; lamina below the
constriction elliptic-oblong to suborbicular, or linear in E. purpurea.
3. Lip abruptly dilated at the apex into two oblong retrorsely recurved
lateral lobes E. purpurea.
3. Lip not 2-lobed at the apex.
4. Apical lobe of the lip ovate-subreniform, mucronate or obtuse.
E. Tuerckheimii.
4. Apical lobe of the lip suborbicular-obcordate or suborbicular and
apiculate.
5. Apical lobe of the lip conspicuously 3-lobulate at the apex; bracts
shorter than the flowers at anthesis; plants terrestrial. .£7. querceticola.
5. Apical lobe of the lip not 3-lobulate, at most apiculate; bracts folia-
ceous, usually exceeding the flowers at anthesis; plants epiphytic.
E. querceticola var. venustula.
2. Lip including the spur more than 7 mm. long; lamina below the constriction
linear, obovate or cuneate.
6. Lip abruptly dilated at the apex into two oblong retrorsely recurved
lateral lobes E. purpurea.
6. Lip not as above.
7. Lip cuneate or narrowly triangular-ovate below the short narrow
isthmus, mostly wider than the apical lobe; apical lobe transversely
linear, mucronate E. vesicifera.
1. Lip obovate-obcordate below the constriction, much narrower than
the apical lobe; apical lobe orbicular-cordate E. stictophylla.
Erythrodes ovatilabia Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 10, no. 4: 70. pi. 5. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Chiquimula:
Jalapa, Volcan Jumay, north of Jalapa, alt. 1,300-2,200 meters,
December 1, 1939, J. A. Steyermark 32471). Figure 38.
Terrestrial in oak forest, usually at high elevations, up to 3,000
meters alt. Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant from a prostrate rhizome, erect-ascending, 3-4 dm. tall. Stem slender,
pubescent with whitish articulated hairs, leafy on the lower fourth, bracteate above;
bracts acuminate, spreading, up to 3.5 cm. long. Leaves five to eight, petiolate;
petiole tubular-inflated below, enveloping the stem, up to 3 cm. long; lamina
oblique, ovate-elliptic to broadly elliptic, acute to subacuminate, rounded or
tapering at the base, dark green above with a whitish mid-nerve, gray-green
beneath, 3-8.5 cm. long, 1.4-3 cm. wide. Raceme densely flowered, spicate,
cylindrical, up to 7 cm. long and 2 cm. in diameter; rachis pubescent. Floral bracts
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 4-7 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide near the base.
Flowers small, with pubescent pedicellate ovaries that are up to 6 mm. long. Sepals
lanceolate to narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate or tapering to a narrowly
subobtuse apex, 1-nerved, 4.8-5 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide below the middle.
Petals adherent to the dorsal sepal, semirhombic, narrowly cuneate at the base,
obtuse to subacute, 1-nerved, about 4.5 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide across the
dilated middle portion. Lip produced at the base into a slightly bilobed saccate
spur, about 7 mm. long including the spur; lamina thin, when spread out ovate
(sometimes narrowly so), obtuse to acute, usually with the margins slightly undu-
FIG. 38. Erythrodes ovatilabia. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, side view (X 5);
3, dorsal sepal (X 5); 4, lip, partly spread out (X 5); 5, lateral sepal (X 5);
6, petal (X 5). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
143
144 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
late, 3-nerved, 4 mm. long, 2.5 mm. wide at the base. Column short, thick, about
2.5 mm. long.
Erythrodes ovatilabia is one of the few American species in the
genus having a simple lip. Its nearest ally, E. secunda Ames, from
Mexico, is a much smaller plant with small ovate-subcordate leaves
and a laxly few-flowered secund inflorescence. The essentially oval
lip of E. secunda has a thickened disk and a somewhat constricted
crisped apex. The petals are also spatulate instead of being semi-
rhombic as in E. ovatilabia.
Chiquimula: Upper slopes of Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of
El Barriol, Steyermark 30826. — San Marcos: Slopes of barrancas
tributary to and bordering Rio Vega, between San Rafael at north-
east portion of Volcan Tacana and Guatemala-Mexico line, Steyer-
mark 36363 (in part).
Erythrodes purpurea Ames, Orch., Fasc. V: 28. 1915. Physurus
purpurea Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 259. 1908 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, June, 1904, H. von Turckheim 8759).
P. luniferus Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 199. 1918 (type: Guate-
mala, bank of the Sacinia River, between Mazatenango and San
Francisco, January, 1875, Bernoulli & Cario 669). P. argyrostictus
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 16: 440. 1920 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, April, 1913, H. von Turckheim 4054).
Erythrodes lunifera Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII: 71. 1922.
In leaf mold or rich soil of wet dense forests, up to 1,300 meters
alt. Rather common in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa
Rica.
Plant erect or ascending, slender, 1.2-3 dm. tall; scape leafy, pubescent above
with brown articulated hairs. Leaves with short petioles that are about 2 cm. long,
obliquely ovate, lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, acute or acuminate, usually dark or
pale green flecked with white or reticulate with white or deep green, 3-9 cm. long,
1-3.3 cm. wide. Raceme loosely flowered, cylindrical, 5-20 cm. long, up to 2 cm.
in diameter. Bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, incurved, scarious, 5-10 mm.
long. Flowers white or greenish white. Sepals somewhat pubescent with articu-
lated hairs on the outer surface, usually with a tuft of hairs localized near the
apex; dorsal sepal linear-liguliform, obtuse, longitudinally concave, 4-5.2 (rarely 3)
mm. long, about 1.8 mm. wide; lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, obtuse, 4-5.5
mm. long, 1.2-1.8 mm. wide. Petals linear to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, slightly
oblique, minutely ciliate along the margin above the middle, 4-5 mm. long, 1-1.5
mm. wide. Lip 6-8.5 mm. long including the saccate spur; lamina linear with the
sides upturned, abruptly dilated or divided and reflexed at the apex into two
oblong retrorsely recurved lateral lobules that are minutely ciliate, with a short
mucro in the shallow sinus at the apex, 3.8-6 mm. wide across the apical lobules
when spread out. Capsule ovoid, about 8 mm. long.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 145
This species is variable in its habit. Most of the plants have
short peduncles while others have peduncles up to 13.5 cm. in length.
The leaves are usually green flecked with silver-white or reticulate-
veined with darker green or white. However, they may be variously
pigmented as in the case of plants of other species in the genus,
such as E. querceticola. Several South American segregates approach
E. purpurea very closely and it is possible that with further study
they may be combined with this species.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 7678; 8463. — Amatitlan:
Pacaya, J. R. Johnston 1573. — Escuintla: Finca Monterrey, south
slope of Volcan de Fuego, Standley 64565. Finca El Zapote, Margaret
W. Lewis 216. — Huehuetenango: Forested slopes in vicinity of Ixcan,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49429. — Pete*n: Low forest
between Finca Yalpemech and Chinaja, Steyermark 45439. — Suchite-
pequez: Finca Moca, F. W. Hunnewell 14670; A. F. Skutch 2112.
Erythrodes querceticola (Lindl.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. V: 29.
1915. Physurus querceticola Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PL 505. 1840.
P. vaginatus Hook. Ic. PI. t. 449. 1842 (type: Guatemala, G. U.
Skinner). Erythrodes vaginata (Hook.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. V: 29.
1915. Physurus humidicola Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 198. 1918
(type: Guatemala, Chilion near Mazatenango, August, 1867, Ber-
noulli & Cario 477). P. trilobulatus Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15:
199. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Huehuetenango, between Sta.
Cruz Almor and Ixcan, September, 1876, Bernoulli & Cario 852).
Figure 39.
In deep humus and leaf mold of shady barrancas and ravines,
and in dense thickets among rocks. Widespread and rather common
along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, the West Indies, Mexico
and Central America to northern South America(?).
Plant slender or rarely stout, glabrous throughout, 6-43 cm. tall; stem leafy,
erect or ascending, light green or brownish green. Leaves with short petioles;
lamina ovate, ovate-lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate, broadly
rounded to subcordate at the base, thin, light or dark green, usually with whitish
reticulate veins, drying dull gray-green, straw-color or purplish brown, 1.5-8 cm.
long, 1-3 cm. wide below the middle; petiole thin, translucent, surrounding the
stem at the base, about 2 cm. long. Raceme few- to many-flowered, loose or dense,
1.5-10 cm. long, 1-2 cm. in diameter. Bracts broadly ovate to lanceolate, acute
or acuminate, usually scarious, 4.5-7 mm. long. Flowers subsessile, yellowish
green or white. Dorsal sepal narrowly ovate-oblong to lanceolate, subacute to
obtuse, concave, 3-4 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely
ovate, oblong-lanceolate or linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute, 3-4.5 mm. long,
146 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
1-2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear to linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 3-4.5
mm. long, 1-1.3 mm. wide. Lip 5-7 mm. long including the saccate spur; lamina
panduriform, with a conspicuous sinus on each side above the middle, the basal
half suborbicular, concave, thickened and partly embracing the column, the upper
half suborbicular-obcordate and shallowly or conspicuously 3-lobulate at the apex,
2-2.5 mm. wide across the divergent and broadly rounded lateral lobes, apical
lobe triangular-apiculate and strongly reflexed. Spur saccate, descending, provided
with three conspicuous nerves. Capsule ellipsoid, 7-9 mm. long.
This species is extremely variable, being represented by several
types of habit and numerous variations in the form of the apical
portion of the lip of the flowers.
Alta Verapaz: Pansamala, Turckheim 1015. Cubilgiiitz, Turck-
heim 8003; Turckheim II 204. — Chimaltenango : Lower and middle
southwestern slopes of Volcan Fuego, above Finca Montevideo,
along Barranca Espinazo and tributary of Rio Pantaleon, Steyermark
52116. — Izabal: Along Rio Bonita, Steyermark 41735. — Quezal-
tenango: Colomba, Skutch 1350. — Volcan Zunil, Skutch 980.
Erythrodes querceticola var. venustula (Ames) Correll,
Lloydia 10: 210. 1947. Physurus venustulus Ames, Orch., Fasc. II:
261. 1908 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz,
December, 1903, H. von Turckheim 8591).
Epiphytic. Rare in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Variety venustula is best distinguished from the typical form of the species by
its long floral bracts, which are foliaceous, 6-20 mm. long and mostly exceeding
the flowers at anthesis. The variety is usually epiphytic in habitat, whereas
typical E. querceticola is apparently entirely terrestrial. This distinction, however,
is arbitrary because terrestrial and epiphytic plants are often found in the same
species. The plants of variety venustula are weak and drooping, perhaps because
of their epiphytic habitat. The apical lobule of the lip of the variety is scarcely
or not at all 3-lobed and prominently apiculate as in the species. The flowers
may be tinged with red.
Izabal: Epiphyte on branch along Rio Tameja, Cerro San Gil,
alt. 50 meters, Steyermark 41814. — Guatemala: Epiphytic, Turckheim
II 881.
Erythrodes stictophylla (Schltr.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII: 76.
1922. Physurus stictophylla Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 249. 1911
FIG. 39. Erythrodes querceticola. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, side view (X 5);
3, dorsal sepal (X 5) ; 4, petal (X 5) ; 5, lateral sepal (X 5) ; 6, lip and spur, front
view (X 5); 7, fruits (X 1). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
147
148 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, in rotten leaves in high
woods near Coban, November, 1907, H. von Turckheim II 1894).
In dense forest, up to 1,400 meters alt. Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, 1.4-2.5 dm. tall; scape slender, densely silky pubes-
cent. Leaves on the lower half of the stem, with short petioles that are about 1.5
cm. long, obliquely ovate or lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate, dark green
mottled with white, glabrous, 2.5-5.5 cm. long, 1.3-2.6 cm. wide. Raceme loosely
few-flowered, 4-7 cm. long, about 2 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
incurved, glabrous, scarious, 6-9 mm. long. Flowers greenish white, marked with
reddish brown. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, obtuse, longitudinally concave, 5.2-6 mm.
long, about 2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely linear-lanceolate or linear-
elliptic, obtuse, 5.5-6.5 mm. long, 2-2.3 mm. wide. Petals obliquely narrowly
linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, conspicuously dilated on the outer margin, 5-5.2 mm.
long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Lip 7.5-9 mm. long including the short saccate spur;
lamina pandurate, obtuse, conspicuously constricted at the middle, the lower half
obovate-obcordate and about 2.5 mm. wide, the apical half orbicular-ovate to
orbicular-cordate, strongly reflexed in natural position and 3.5-4.2 mm. wide.
Column short, about 3 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical, about 6 mm. long.
This species is distinctive in that the apical lobule of the lip is
much larger than the basal half and the petals are conspicuously
dilated on the outer margin. The scape of this species is also densely
silky-pubescent, approaching a tomentum.
Alta Verapaz: Finca Volcan, Wilson 318.
Erythrodes Tuerckheimii (Schltr.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII:
77. 1922. Physurus Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 132.
1906 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, in high woods near
Cubilgiiitz, July, 1903, H. von Turckheim 733). P. polygonatus
Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 259. 1908 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta
Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, April, 1900, H. von Turckheim 7678).
Terrestrial in mountain forests, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant erect or ascending, slender, 2.5-4 dm. tall; stem pubescent with brown
articulated hairs. Leaves on the lower part of the stem, with short petioles,
obliquely ovate, oblong-elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate,
glabrous, 3-7 cm. long, 1.5-3.2 cm. wide. Raceme loosely or densely flowered,
cylindrical, 6-10 cm. long, about 1 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
scarious, 7-11 mm. long. Flowers small, pink or brownish marked with white.
Sepals sparingly pubescent on the outer surface; dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate or
narrowly oblong, obtuse, 2.5-3.2 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals
elliptic-oblong, obtuse, slightly oblique, 3-4 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Petals
obliquely oblanceolate or linear-spatulate, obtuse, 3.2-4 mm. long. Lip about
5 mm. long including the saccate spur; lamina oblong or broadly elliptic with the
margins upturned, somewhat constricted above and then expanded into a deflexed
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 149
terminal lobule; terminal lobule ovate-subreniform, obtuse or mucronate, with the
margins minutely papillose, about 2 mm. long and 3 mm. wide.
This species differs from E. vesicifera, to which it is closely allied,
mainly by its smaller flowers and differently formed lip. The lip
of E. Tuerckheimii is an oblong-elliptic type with an ovate-subreni-
form apical lobule; whereas the lip of E. vesicifera is of a cuneate
type with the apical lobule more or less 3-lobulate or transversely
linear with a rather prominent mucro and separated from the rest
of the lip by a short isthmus.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 8463.
Erythrodes vesicifera (Reichb. f.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. VII: 78.
1922. Physurus vesicifer Reichb. f . Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 63. 1866.
Figure 40.
In leaf mold and rich soil of dense wet forest and on mossy
banks, up to 2,400 meters alt. Rather widespread in Mexico and
Central America.
Plant erect or ascending, slender, 1.4-3.6 dm. tall; stem pubescent with brown
or whitish articulated hairs. Leaves on the lower part of the stem, with short
petioles, obliquely ovate to lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate, variously
pigmented and mottled, usually green or bronze-green, mostly undulate-crenulate
along the margins, 3.5-7 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm. wide. Raceme loosely or densely
flowered, 4-15 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. in diameter. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
incurved, scarious, 6-10 mm. long. Flowers white. Sepals and petals usually
conspicuously ciliate along the margins. Sepals elliptic to linear-oblong, obtuse
or acute, 5-6 mm. long, 2-2.2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely oblong or oblong-
oblanceolate, obtuse, 5-6 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Lip 7-9 mm. long including
the saccate spur; lamina 2-3.5 mm. wide below the middle, cuneate to narrowly
triangular-ovate, constricted above to form a short narrow isthmus and then
expanded into an apical lobule that is more or less 3-lobulate or with a transversely
linear lobule having a rather prominent mucro; lobule up to 3 mm. wide.
Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa and Dept. Quiche", San Miguel Uspantan,
Heyde & Lux 3498. Jumaytepeque, Heyde & Lux 3854.
QUESTIONABLE AND EXCLUDED SPECIES
Erythrodes loxoglottis (Reichb. f.) Ames. Physurus loxoglottis
Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 64. 1866 (type: Guatemala, in
a barranca near Guatemala, Wendland). It has not been possible
to place this nondescript species satisfactorily. It is very closely
allied to E. vesicifera and may well be placed with it for the present.
Erythrodes maculata (Hook.) Ames was reported from Guatemala
by J. D. Smith, Enum. PI. Guat. 7: 50. 1905 (as Physurus maculatus
FIG. 40. Erythrodes vesicifera. Plant (X %). Right (top to bottom) : column
(enlarged) ; lip, spread out ( X 5) ; flower, side view, partly spread open ( X 4) ; petal
(X 5); dorsal sepal (X 5); lateral sepal (X 5). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
150
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 151
Hook.). However, an examination of the specimen (Turckheim
8003) upon which this report was based revealed that it is E. querceti-
cola, to which E. maculata may eventually be referred.
17. TROPIDIA Blume
Terrestrial, coarse, slender, leafy and often branching herbs with thick fibrous
roots on a short rhizome. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, mem-
branaceous, strongly veined and plicate. Inflorescence a compound raceme of
numerous small flowers. Lateral sepals connate at the base to form an inconspicu-
ous sac or mentum. Petals and dorsal sepal similar. Lip entire, sessile, with a
broadly saccate base, canaliculate, parallel to and partly embracing the column.
Column short, straight; anther and rostellum about equal in length; anther erect,
lying against the rostellum; pollinia 2, granulose, sectile. Capsule spreading.
This is a small genus of about thirty-five species, which are natives
mainly of the East Indies, Malaya, China and Japan. It is repre-
sented in this hemisphere by one species.
Tropidia polystachya (Sw.) Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 262. 1908.
Serapias polystachya Sw. Fl. Ind. Occ. 1415. 1799. Figure 41.
In well-drained stony soil of open woods, shaded hills and in
humus and peaty soil in brushwood, up to 500 meters alt. Wide-
spread but not common in southern Florida, the West Indies, Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands.
Plant leafy, glabrous throughout, 2.5-5.3 dm. tall. Leaves distichous, on the
upper part of the stem, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, acute to long-acuminate,
thin, drying grayish, 6-28 cm. long, 1.5-5.5 cm. wide. Raceme compound,
terminal, on a slender naked peduncle, 3-9 cm. long (flowers rarely occurring also
in the axils of leaves along the stem). Bracts subulate to ovate-lanceolate, acute
or acuminate with a prominent midrib and hyaline margins, 2-4 mm. long (bracts
subtending each branch of the inflorescence much longer, narrowly lanceolate,
otherwise similar to the floral bracts). Flowers greenish white or reddish. Dorsal
sepal oblong-elliptic, acute, strongly concave, 6-7 mm. long, 2-2.3 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely oblong-elliptic, acute, gibbous at the base,
6-7 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide. Petals narrowly ovate to linear-oblong, truncate
to subacute at the apex, 5.5-6.2 mm. long, 2-2.3 mm. wide. Lip 4.5-6.5 mm.
long, cymbiform, concave-saccate with basal margins strongly involute, thickened
with a median groove at the base, constricted near the middle and with the apex
thin and somewhat expanded, broadly rounded and often retuse-apiculate; disk
pubescent at the middle, with two intramarginal ridges that converge near the
apex. Column 3-4 mm. long, terete. Capsule oblong-ellipsoid, prominently
6-ribbed, becoming black at maturity.
Guatemala (fide Schlechter, Beih. Bot. Centralbl. Am. 36: 437.
1918).
FIG. 41. Tropidia polystachya. Plant (X M); 1, column, to show anther
(a) and upper part of ovary ( X 4) ; 2, dorsal sepal ( X 4) ; 3, petals (X 4) ; 4, column,
front- ventral view and upper part of ovary (X 4) ; 5, lateral sepals (X 4) ; 6, lip,
from above (X 4). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
152
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 153
18. COR YMBORCHIS Thou.
Terrestrial coarse tall leafy herbs, sometimes branching, with thick woody
roots clustered on the short rhizome. Sheaths decaying below, spathaceous or
passing into leaves above. Leaves ample, plicate, chartaceous, with the petioles
sheathing the stem. Flowers rather small, subsessile, in short terminal or axillary
subcorymbose panicles. Bracts small, ovate. Sepals and petals linear to oblanceo-
late. Lip erect from the base of the column and parallel with the column, free,
broadly ovate to spatulate, canaliculate, recurved at the apex. Column long,
erect, clavellate, terminated by two lobules or auricles; stigma at the base of an
erect acuminate rostellum; clinandrium short. Anther erect, narrow, nearly as
long as the rostellum, acuminate, with the cells contiguous; pollinia granular,
attached to a subulate stalk that depends from a peltate gland of the rostellum;
on the fall of the pollinia the rostellum remains bifid. Capsule cylindrical, sub-
terete, crowned by the remains of the perianth.
In this genus there are about a dozen species, which are widely
dispersed through the tropics of the world. Two of them are to be
found in the western hemisphere.
Corymborchis forcipigera (Reichb. f.) L. 0. Wms. Bot. Mus.
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 12, no. 7: 237. 1946. Macrostylis forcipigera
Reichb. f. Bonpl. 2: 96. 1854. Corymborchis cubensis Acufia in Bol.
T£c. 60, Est. Exp. Agron. Santiago de Las Vegas 51. 1939; emend,
and validated by Correll in Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 8: 125,
fig. 1. 1940. Figures 42, 43.1
Terrestrial in rich soil and humus of shaded dense forests and
thickets, up to 1,300 meters alt. Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica
and the West Indies.
Plant simple, tall, stout, erect, up to 2 meters tall, leaf-sheaths, peduncles
and lower surface of the young leaves usually lepidote with brownish scales. Stem
terete, occasionally geniculate at the base. Leaves large, crowded on the upper
part of the stem, elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, long-acuminate, dis-
tichous, sessile, plicate and conspicuously many-nerved, 15-45 cm. long, 3-7.5 cm.
wide. Inflorescences one to three lax corymbose panicles, arising in the axils of
the uppermost leaves, up to 12 cm. long; peduncle slender, usually somewhat
lepidote, up to 8.5 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate-triangular to lanceolate, acute
to acuminate, concave and clasping at the base, 3-18 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide
near the base, those subtending the branches of the inflorescence longest. Flowers
greenish white or white, arcuate, spreading. Sepals canaliculate, fleshy-thickened,
conspicuously dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve; dorsal sepal linear to linear-
oblanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, incurved, 12-19 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm.
wide above the middle; lateral sepals linear-oblanceolate, acute or abruptly and
shortly acuminate, in natural position prominently falcate-recurved, 10-15 mm.
long, 2-2.5 mm. wide above the middle. Petals obliquely linear to oblanceolate,
acute or abruptly and shortly acuminate, somewhat dilated and concave at the
1 Figures 42 and 43 were combined after the manuscript had been set in type.
FIGS. 42, 43. Corymborchis forcipigera. 1, plant (X Ve); 2, upper flowering
portion of plant (X }/£) ; 3, lip, spread out ( X 3). C. flava. 4, lip, spread out ( X 3).
The only other species of Corymborchis occurring in this hemisphere, from Costa
Rica southward. Drawn by D. E. Tibbitts.
154
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 155
apex with the margins crisped, thinner than the sepals, conspicuously dorsally
carinate along the mid-nerve, 11-13.5 mm. long, 2.5-3.5 mm. wide above the
middle. Lip in natural position arcuate-decurved above the middle, when spread
out linear-spatulate, acute, cucullate-concave and rounded at the base, dorsally
carinate along the thickened mid-nerve, 11-14 mm. long; basal portion linear,
canaliculate, 6-8 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide; apical portion dilated, ovate to oval,
reflexed, with the margins usually undulate-crisped, 5-6 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. wide;
disk with an intramarginal linear callus on each side extending from the base to
about the middle of the apical portion. Column clavellate, terete below, 10-12
mm. long. Capsule cylindrical, ribbed, 1.5-2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Near Pansamala, Turckheim 1021. Cubilgiiitz,
Turckheim 8601. — Solola: South-facing slopes of Volcan Atitlan,
above Finca Moca, Steyermark 47928.
The following collections are sterile but probably represent this
species: Alta Verapaz: Montana Yxocubvain, 2J/6 miles west of
Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44989.— Izabal: Cerro San Gil, damp rain-
forest, along Rio Frio, Steyermark 39898.
19. STELISSwartz
Small epiphytic caespitose herbs with a solitary leaf at the apex; secondary
stems provided with loosely clasping sheaths. Roots fibrous, clustered, from a
short creeping stem. Leaves fleshy or coriaceous, subsessile or petiolate. Flowers
minute or small, numerous, on one or more long slender racemes that rise in the
axil of the leaf. Sepals subequal or with the dorsal sepal longest, spreading or
cleistogamous, more or less connate; lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals much
shorter than the sepals, with thickened margins. Lip sessile, variously shaped,
simple or 3-lobed, about as long as the petals. Column without a foot, short,
thickened above; rostellum Ungulate; anther terminal, operculate; pollinia 2,
waxy, pyriform. Capsule small, ovoid to cylindrical, 3-angled.
In this genus there are more than two hundred species, all natives
of tropical America where they occur from Mexico and the West
Indies to Brazil and Peru. Because of the usually very small petals
and lip, which are fleshy and pliable, the species of Stelis are difficult
to study in herbarium specimens. Flower-color of the species seems
to be extremely variable. Flowers of the same species growing in
sun or shade often vary in color, accordingly, from greenish yellow
to purplish.
1. Dorsal sepal much longer than the lateral sepals, spreading conspicuously,
2-4 mm. long S. despectans.
1. Dorsal and lateral sepals subequal.
2. Column about twice as long as the petals S. ovatilabia.
2. Column about equal to the petals in length.
3. Lip with a tuft of cilia on each side at the base, minutely mucronate at
the apex S. tenuissima.
3. Lip without a tuft of cilia on each side at the base.
156 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
4. Lip not of an ovate, rhombic or reniform type, or with an apiculate
or acuminate apex, or with the sepals conspicuously ciliate along the
margins.
5. Lip with an acuminate apex or with a conspicuous deltoid-acuminate
apicule.
6. Lip 1 mm. long, truncate or broadly rounded, long-apiculate.
S. guatemalensis.
6. Lip less than 1 mm. long, not truncate.
7. Lip suborbicular-obovate with a prominent deltoid acuminate
apicule; sepals glabrous S. hymenantha.
7. Lip rhombic-lanceolate, inner surface of the sepals short-pubes-
cent.
8. Petals broadly cuneate, rounded-truncate at the apex.
S. rubens.
8. Petals obliquely obovate-cuneate with a conspicuous apicule
at the apex S. rubens var. oxypetala.
5. Lip not acuminate at the apex.
9. Lip narrowly oblong or oblong-quadrate.
10. Lip truncate and sinuately tridentate or apiculate at the apex.
S. cleistogama.
10. Lip obtuse with 2 median and marginal falcate calli or lobes
curving inward toward the center of the disk. . . .S. microchila.
9. Lip not oblong or oblong-quadrate; sepals usually ciliate on the
margins.
11. Lip with a minute erect apiculate process on the anterior margin,
thick-fleshy, quadrate to semiglobular or rhombic.
12. Lateral sepals 5-nerved S. leucopogon.
12. Lateral sepals 3-nerved S. Endresii.
11. Lip without an apiculate process.
13. Lip oval or occasionally ovate S. ciliaris.
13. Lip broadly reniform S. chihobensis.
4. Lip of an ovate, rhombic or reniform type, subtruncate, broadly
rounded or obtuse at the apex; sepals glabrous.
14. Floral bracts large, amplexicaul-peltiform with spreading, somewhat
revolute margins S. parvula.
14. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate or tubular, not conspicuously spread-
ing.
15. Plants large, up to 43 cm. tall; secondary stem more than 4 cm.
long; lip semiorbicular to subreniform, broadly rounded or obtuse
at the apex S. purpurascens.
15. Plants small, less than 20 cm. tall; secondary stem less than 4 cm.
long; lip not suborbicular or reniform.
16. Lip somewhat cuneate or rhombic-ovate, subtruncate or broadly
obtuse at the apex, about 0.5 mm. long.
17. Petals obovate-cuneate, from a narrow base; lip with 2
approximate calli in the middle of the disk; sepals often with
revolute margins S. gracilis.
17. Petals broadly flabellate from a wide base; lip with a large
fleshy subquadrate callus above the middle of the disk;
sepals with incurved margins S. Johnsonii.
16. Lip not rhombic-cuneate, 0.75-1 mm. long, with a transverse
callus near the base of the disk.
18. Lip triangular-ovate, bidentate at the base; leaves usually
linear S. bidentata.
18. Lip from a broad, flat base, subrhomboidal, not toothed at
the base; leaves usually oblanceolate S. perplexa.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 157
Stelis bidentata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 358. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Tactic, Turckheim 511; near
Coban, Turckheim 1842). Figure 44.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,800 meters alt. Mexico and Guate-
mala.
FIG. 44. Stelis bidentata. 1, flower (X 21); 2, lip (X 25); 3, petal (X 25).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
Plant densely caespitose, glabrous, up to 15 cm. tall; secondary stem erect,
short, with one or two sheaths, 1.5-4 cm. long. Leaves erect, linear or narrowly
oblanceolate, obtuse and obliquely bidentate or tridentate at the apex, somewhat
oblique, tapering into the very short petioles, 3-8 cm. long, 2.5-7 mm. wide.
Inflorescence including the peduncle up to 11 cm. long, loosely few-flowered,
slender, filiform. Bracts scarious, broadly ovate-cucullate, shortly acuminate,
1.5-3 mm. long. Flowers small, purplish or white with a greenish, purplish or
reddish brown infusion. Pedicellate ovaries ascending, slender, about as long
as the bracts. Sepals orbicular-ovate, obtuse, concave, 3-nerved, 1.5-2.2 mm.
long, 1.8-2 mm. wide; lateral sepals coherent below the middle. Petals cuneate
to suborbicular-rhombic, broadly obtuse, concave, thickened at the apex, 1 mm.
158
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
long, about as wide as long. Lip fleshy, triangular-ovate, obtuse, bidentate at
the base, deeply concave in front and at the base, somewhat divided near the base
by a transverse bilobed callus, about 1 mm. long and 0.8 mm. wide.
The flowers of this species are usually closed during the day, but
open at night.
FIG. 45. Stelis chihobensis. 1, flower (X 11); 2, petal (X 21); 3, column
(X 21); 4, lip (X 21). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
Amatitlan: Pacaya, Johnston 1311. Finca Moca, J. Bequaert 48.
Moca, Margaret W. Lewis 73.
Stelis chihobensis Ames, Sched. Orch. 1: 3. 1922 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chihob, Johnson 939). Figure 45.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,000 meters alt. Guatemala and
Costa Rica.
Plant caespitose, glabrous, up to 22 cm. tall; secondary stem erect, rather
stout, provided with 3 bracts, 4-9 cm. long. Leaves including the short sulcate
petiole 4-9.5 cm. long; lamina ligulate, linear-elliptic, obtuse and obliquely tri-
dentate at the apex, 5-12 mm. wide. Inflorescence including the short peduncle
up to 13 cm. long, loosely many-flowered. Bracts obliquely tubular, acute, shorter
STEJLIS
FIG. 46. Stelis ciliaris. Plant (X 1); 1, flower (about X 9); 2, petal (about
X 13); 3, lip (about X 16); 4, column and lip, front-side view (about X 13).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
159
160
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
FIG. 47. Stelis ciliaris. 1, flower
(about X 9); 2, lip, front view (about
X 16); 3, lip, front-side view (about
X 16); 4, column (anther removed;
much enlarged) ; 5, petal (about X 22).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
FIG. 48. Stelis ciliaris. 1, flower
(about X 9); 2, lip, front-side view
(about X 15); 3, lip, front view (about
X 15); 4, petal (X 17). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
than the pedicellate ovary, about 1.5 mm. long. Flowers small, distichous, bright
pale green or yellow. Pedicellate ovary about 2 mm. long. Sepals broadly ovate,
obtuse, 3-nerved, glandular-pubescent, the margins minutely ciliolate, about 2 mm.
long and 2 mm. wide. Petals subrhomboidal from a wide base, a little less than
1 mm. long. Lip very fleshy, broadly reniform from a short claw, rounded in
front, concave, traversed by a thick transverse ridge near the middle, minutely
papillose, about 1 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Column fleshy, dilated toward the
summit. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid-pyriform, becoming black with age, about
7 mm. long.
This species is distinguished from closely related species by its
distinctly ciliolate sepals.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Stelis ciliaris Lindl. Comp. Bot. Mag. 2: 353. 1836. Figures
46-48.
On trees in very humid forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Wide-
spread in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, British Honduras and Costa
Rica.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
161
Plant caespitose, glabrous, 1-3 dm. tall; secondary stem short, stout, provided
with tubular sheaths, up to 3 cm. long. Leaves linear to elliptic-oblanceolate,
obtuse and obliquely tridentate or retuse at the apex, tapering into the short
petiole, often oblique, erect, 3.5-15 cm. long, 1-3.2 cm. wide. Inflorescence includ-
ing the rather long peduncle up to 27 cm. long, exceeding the leaves, slender, loosely
many-flowered. Bracts short, obliquely tubular, reddish, 1-2 mm. long. Flowers
deep maroon, purplish, showy, small. Pedicellate ovary slender, about 3 mm.
long. Sepals broadly ovate to orbicular-elliptic, broadly rounded to subacute,
3-nerved, mostly conspicuously ciliate on the margins, 2-4 mm. long, 2-2.8 mm.
wide. Petals broadly cuneate, flabellate or subreniform, thickened along the
solitary central vein and above, from a narrow base, 0.75-1.25 mm. long, 1-1.5
mm. wide at the apex. Lip oval or ovate, subtruncate or obtuse and recurved at
the apex, fleshy, the lower margins upturned, 1-2 mm. long, about as wide as long;
disk with a mammillate callus on each side at the base. Column short, mottled
with purple. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, prominently 6-ribbed, about 1 cm. long.
The illustrations show flowers from three different specimens to
demonstrate variability in this species.
FIG. 49. Stelis cleistogama. 1, column, side view (X 38); 2, petal (X~38);
3, flower, sepals broken apart and spread out (X 20); 4, lip, front view (X 38);
5, lip, front-side view (X 38). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
162 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Alta Verapaz and Chiquimula (eastern portions) : Chocon Planta-
tion, Watson 361.— Izabal: Vicinity of Quirigua, Standley 23900.—
Pete"n: La Libertad, Sabana San Francisco, Lundell 2141.
Stelis cleistogama Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 203. 1918
(type: near Guatemala, July, 1866, Bernoulli & Cario 505). Figure
49.
Epiphytic. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant slender, about 30 cm. tall, glabrous; secondary stem erect, 8-9 cm. long.
Leaves erect, oblanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, tapering gradually into the short
petiole, 7.5-10.5 cm. long including the petiole, 1.5-1.8 cm. wide. Inflorescence
slender, erect, loosely many-flowered, about 10 cm. long. Bracts cucullate,
apiculate. Flowers small, cleistogamous. Sepals ovate, obtuse to acute, 3-nerved,
glandulose on the inner surface, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Petals
broadly cuneate-obovate, obtuse and thickened verruculose at the apex, 3-nerved,
about 0.75 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Lip oblong-quadrate, truncate and sinuately
tridentate or apiculate at the apex, about 0.75 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide; disk
with a thickened transverse callus above the middle, which is excavated in front.
Column short, thick, about as long as the petals.
This species is distinguished from other species of Stelis found in
Guatemala by its oblong-quadrate lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Stelis despectans Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 8: 453. 1910. Figure
50.
Epiphytic on trees in forests and open lands. Guatemala and
Costa Rica.
Plant small, glabrous, caespitose, 4-19 cm. tall; secondary stem slender,
concealed by stramineous sheaths, 0.5-5 cm. long. Leaves erect, linear to linear-
oblanceolate, subobtuse and minutely tri cuspidate at the apex, 1.5-9 cm. long
including the short petiole, 3-6 mm. wide. Inflorescence 1-2, slightly exceeding
the leaves, loosely many-flowered, up to 12 cm. long including the short peduncle;
raceme fractiflex. Bracts ovate-cucullate to lanceolate-cucullate, apiculate to
acuminate, about 1.5 mm. long. Flowers small, spreading-ringent, nodding, pale
green to yellow. Pedicellate ovary arcuate-decurved, slender, 2-2.5 mm. long.
Sepals adherent at the base, 3-nerved; dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to elliptic-
lanceolate, subobtuse to acute, ascending, the lower half concave, recurved above
the middle, much longer than the lateral sepals, 2-4 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide;
lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong to suborbicular, obtuse to subacute, strongly
concave, 1.5-3.2 mm. long, 1.2-2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely rhombic-obovate
with obtuse angles to broadly flabellate with a broadly rounded apex, fleshy-
thickened along the apical margin, concave, 1-nerved, 0.5-0.75 mm. long, 0.5-0.8
mm. wide. Lip orbicular-ovate-cucullate to subcordate-cucullate, narrowed above
to an obtuse or acute apex, with a thin membranous callus stretched across the
lower half to form a hood, 3-nerved, about 0.75 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
163
Column short, thick, 3-lobed at the apex. Capsule obliquely pyriform-ovoid,
conspicuously ribbed, 3-4 mm. long.
Guatemala (fide Schlechter).
FIG. 50. Stelis despectans. 1, petal (X 36); 2, column, front view (X 36);
3, flower (X 12); 4, lip, front-side view (X 36); 5, lip, side view (X 36). Drawn
by Blanche Ames.
Stelis Endresii Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. 1373. 1870. Figure 51.
Epiphytic on trees and shrubs in forests, up to 1,600 meters alt.
Widespread from Mexico through Central America to Panama,
Brazil and Peru.
Plant caespitose, glabrous, up to 2.5 dm. tall. Secondary stem slender, uni-
foliate, up to 5 cm. long, partly concealed by tubular scarious sheaths. Leaf
elliptic-ligulate to oblanceolate, obtuse to rounded at the apex, coriaceous, epetio-
late or with a short petiole, 8-12 cm. long, up to 2 cm. wide above the middle.
Raceme laxly flowered, up to 2.4 dm. long including the peduncle, exceeding the
leaf. Floral bracts infundibuliform, acute, about 2 mm. long, shorter than the
pedicellate ovaries. Flowers pinkish, reddish green or purplish red. Sepals sub-
equal, broadly ovate to suborbicular, broadly obtuse, glandular-papillose within,
2.5-4.5 mm. long, 3-5 mm. wide; dorsal sepal 5-nerved; lateral sepals slightly
164 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
oblique, 3-nerved. Petals broadly cuneate to flabellate, broadly rounded at the
thickened apex, 3-nerved, 0.6-1 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide at the apex. Lip very
fleshy, semiglobular or rhombic, 0.5-1 mm. long and wide, with an erect apicule
at the apex and a thickened ridge along the middle of the upper surface, with the
margins more or less erect to form a thin rim along the sides and in front. Column
dilated upward.
FIG. 51. Stelis Endresti. 1, flower (about X 7); 2, lip, side view (X 20);
3, lip, front view ( X 20); 4, petal ( X 20); 5, column (anther removed; about X 20).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
This species is allied to S. leucopogon. However, that species
usually has larger flowers in which the lateral sepals are always
distinctly 5-nerved, and the lip is differently formed. No specimen
has been seen from Guatemala. However, since Guatemala is
included in the area of distribution of this species it is included here.
Stelis gracilis Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 266. 1908 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, August, 1900, H. von Turck-
heim 7681). Figures 52, 53.
Epiphytic on trees along moist ridges and in dense tropical forests,
up to 1,100 meters. Mexico to Costa Rica.
Plants densely caespitose, glabrous, mostly less than 15 cm. tall; secondary
stem slender, erect or ascending, 1.5-4 cm. long. Leaves linear-oblong to linear-
oblanceolate, obtuse, rigid, pale green, somewhat oblique, 5-13 cm. long, 5-10
mm. wide. Inflorescence including peduncle slender, filiform, about as long as
or exceeding the leaves, up to 15 cm. long. Bracts tubular, obliquely truncate,
apiculate, about 1 mm. long. Flowers minute, greenish white. Pedicellate ovary
\
STELIS aracilis cAmes
FIG. 52. Stelis gracilis. Plant (X 1); 1, flower (X 6); 2, dorsal sepal (X 8);
3, lateral sepal (X 8); 4, petal (X 16); 5, column (X 16); 6, lip (X 16). Original
drawing by Oakes Ames; redrawn by D. E. Tibbitts.
165
166
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
slender, exceeding the bracts, about 2 mm. long. Sepals similar, ovate, subacute,
the margins revolute, 3-nerved, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Petals
cuneate, fleshy, especially at or near the apex, about 0.5 mm. long and 1 mm.
wide at the apex. Lip fleshy, ovate-rhombic to somewhat cuneate, about as long
FIG. 53. Stelis gracilis. 1, lip (X 32); 2, anther (greatly enlarged); 3, petal
( X 32) ; 4, column, front view ( X 32) ; 5, petals, lip, and column, front-side view
(X 24); 6, flower, side view (X 12). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
as the petals, somewhat concave in front; disk with 2 approximate calli in the
middle. Column short, triangular; margin of the clinandrium crenate-dentate.
Capsule obliquely cylindrical, prominently 6-ribbed, about 5 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim II 1891. Chama, Johnson
247.
Stelis guatemalensis Schltr. Bull. Herb. Boiss. 7: 541. 1899
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Huehuetenango, near Yalambohoch, Seler
2316). S. patula Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 359. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban and Pansamala, H. von
Turckheim 698; II 1916; II 1478). Figure 54.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 167
Epiphytic on oaks and pines and on trees in dense rain forests,
up to 1,400 meters. Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plants densely caespitose, glabrous, up to 35 cm. tall; secondary stem slender,
terete, erect, provided with two sheaths, 5-15 cm. long. Leaves linear-oblong,
obtuse and obliquely tridentate at the apex, tapering into the short terete petiole,
occasionally oblique, coriaceous, 5-14 cm. long including petiole, 1-2 cm. wide.
FIG. 54. Stelis guatemalensis. 1, flower (X 17); 2, interior parts of flower
(X 25); 3, lip (X 40); 4, petal (X 40). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
Inflorescence of 1-3 spikes, subsessile, slender, loosely flowered, up to 25 cm. long.
Bracts tubular, obliquely truncate, apiculate, scarious, 1.8-2.5 mm. long. Flowers
small, nodding, spreading, greenish white or reddish. Pedicellate ovary slender,
arcuate-decurved, a little longer than the bracts. Sepals bilabiate, concave, with
involute margins, the lateral ones more or less coherent almost to the apex; dorsal
sepal oblong, obtuse to subacute, 3-nerved, 2.5-3.2 mm. long, 2-3.3 mm. wide; lateral
sepals obliquely ovate to ovate-oblong, subacute, 2.5-3.2 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide. Petals minute, rhombic-orbicular, with obtuse angles, 0.75-1 mm. long,
about as wide as long. Lip fleshy, semioblong-cuneate to suborbicular, truncate
or broadly rounded and apiculate at the apex, concave, with a hooded bilobed
168
FIELD IANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
callus on the center of the disk, about 1 mm. long, nearly as wide as long. Column
short, dilated above, trilobed. Capsule obliquely cylindrical.
Alta Verapaz: Trece Aguas, near Senahu, H. Pittier 351. Chama-
Coban road, Johnson 301; 553. Rio Coban, between Coban and San
Pedro, Johnson 649. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Negro, two miles east
of Las Palmas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51705.
Stelis hymenantha Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 291. 1912
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, H. von Turck-
heim II 1968). Figure 55.
6.
FIG. 55. Stelis hymenantha. 1, lip, front view (X 39); 2, column, side view
( X 56) ; 3, column, front view ( X 56) ; 4, petal ( X 63) ; 5, flower, side view ( X 21) ;
6, lip, side view (X 39). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
Epiphytic on trees in oak-pine forests and in dense humid forests,
up to 2,800 meters alt. Rather common from southern Mexico to
Panama.
Plant densely caespitose or fasciculate, glabrous, 7-27 cm. tall; secondary stem
rather stout, terete, erect, covered by two long tubular scarious sheaths, 1.5-8 cm.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 169
long. Leaves erect, linear-oblanceolate, obtuse and obliquely tridentate at the
apex, narrowed at the base, 4-10 cm. long, 4-10 mm. wide. Inflorescence including
the short peduncle up to 15 cm. long, solitary, loosely few- to many-flowered, as
long as or exceeding the leaves. Bracts tubular-cucullate, subobtuse to acuminate,
mostly exceeding the pedicellate ovary, 1.8-3 mm. long. Flowers pale greenish
white or greenish yellow, small, slightly nodding, spreading. Pedicel 1.5-2 mm.
long, arcuate above the middle. Sepals orbicular-ovate to ovate-elliptic, obtuse
to shortly acuminate, connate near the base, shallowly concave, 3-nerved, 1.5-1.7
mm. long, about 1.2 mm. wide. Petals cuneate-obovate, thickened and sub-
truncate at the apex, somewhat concave, about 0.5 mm. long and 0.3 mm. wide.
Lip suborbicular-obovate with a prominent deltoid acuminate apicule, concave,
the margins and apicule curved upward, 0.5-0.75 mm. long, usually about as wide
as long; disk with two somewhat semilunate calli on each side near the base, which
are often rather indistinct from one another. Column small, dilated above, obtuse,
bilobed. Capsule ovoid-ellipsoid, 3-angled, 6-ribbed, 4-5 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Pansamala, Turckheim 1012. On road from
Chama to Coban, Johnson 506. Rio Coban-Coban San Pedro, Johnson
610. — Chiquimula: Middle slopes of Montana Norte to El Jutal,
on Cerro Brujo, southeast of Concepcion de las Minas, Steyermark
31053. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Pixpix, above San Ildefonso Ixta-
huacan, Steyermark 50581. — Izabal: Cerro San Gil, uppermost ridges
and summit, Steyermark 41958. — Quezaltenango: Fuentes Georginas,
western slope of Volcan de Zunil, Standley 67342. Densely forested
damp white sand quebrada, El Pocito, south of San Martin Chile
Verde, on road to Colomba, Standley 85083. — San Marcos: Barranca
Eminencia, road between San Marcos and San Rafael Pie" de la
Cuesta, in upper part of the barranca between Finca La Lucha and
Buena Vista, Standley 86483. Between town of Tajumulco and
Tecutla (nine miles south and west of Tajumulco), northwestern
slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 36774. Along Quebrada
Canjula, between Sibinal and Canjula, Volcan Tacana, Steyermark
36045. — Suchitepequez: Volcan Santa Clara, between Finca El
Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark 46645. — Volcan de Ipala,
Pittier 1870.
Stelis Johnsonii Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 35: 87. 1922
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chama, Johnson 252).
Figure 56.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 300 meters alt. Guatemala.
Plant somewhat caespitose, glabrous, 8.5 cm. tall; secondary stem erect,
when young concealed by two elongated tubular sheaths, 1-1.2 cm. long. Leaves
2.5-4 cm. long, up to 6 mm. wide, oblanceolate, obtuse and minutely bidentate
at the apex with a cusp in the sinus, narrowed toward the base into a sulcate petiole
that is about 4 mm. long. Inflorescence including the peduncle up to 7.5 cm. long,
170
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
solitary or rarely two, loosely few-flowered, filiform. Bracts obliquely funnel-
shaped, acute to acuminate, 1.5-2 mm. long. Flowers minute, few, reddish,
odorless, not spreading. Pedicellate ovary up to 2.5 mm. long, exceeding the bracts.
Sepals adherent at the base, triangular-ovate, obtuse, conspicuously 3-nerved,
about 1.5 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Petals flabelliform, thickened at the
apex, 3-nerved, about 1 mm. long, 1.25 mm. wide near the apex. Lip rhombic
in outline, triangular in side view, margins erect, thickened at the apex, provided
FIG. 56. Stelis Johnsonii. 1, flower (X 16); 2, lip, front view (X 39);
3, petal (X 21); 4, lip, side view (X 39). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
with a large fleshy subquadrate callus above the middle of the disk, about 0.5 mm.
long. Column short, slender near the base, dilated upwards.
This species is allied to S. bidentata, from which it is distinguished
by the differently shaped lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Stelis leucopogon Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 95. 1866.
S.Bernoullii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 201. 1918 (type: Guatemala,
Hacienda de las Nubes, Costa Grande, November, 1877, Bernoulli &
Cario}. Figure 57.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
171
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,500 meters. Guatemala, Costa Rica
and Panama.
Plant rather large, glabrous, caespitose, erect, up to 43 cm. tall; secondary
stem stout, provided with tubular sheaths, 1.5-15 cm. long. Leaves very thick
and coriaceous, subsessile or with a broad short petiole, narrowly elliptic to
elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse and retuse at the apex, occasionally oblique, 7-16.5
FIG. 57. Stelis leucopogon. 1, flower (X 8); 2, petal (X 16); 3, column
(X 20); 4, lip, side view (X 24); 5, lip, front view (X 24). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
cm. long, 1-3.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence 1 or 2, rather stout, loosely many-flowered,
up to 30 cm. long including the peduncle, subtended by a closely appressed or
complanate spathaceous bract that is up to 2 cm. long. Bracts funnel-shaped,
obliquely truncate, acute or apiculate. Flowers large for the genus, purplish and
greenish, appearing almost simultaneously and remaining open for only a short
time during the day. Pedicellate ovary slender, ascending or recurved, 6-8 mm.
long. Sepals deltoid-ovate to rhombic-ovate, obtuse, fleshy-thick, 5-nerved,
3.5-8 mm. long, 4-8 mm. wide. Petals broadly flabellate to cuneate, much
thickened and truncate-rounded at the apex, glabrous or somewhat glandular-
puberulent, 1-1.5 mm. long, 1.25-2.5 mm. wide at the apex. Lip quadrate to
subquadrate-ovate, somewhat obliquely truncate at the apex, rounded beneath,
172
FIELDI AN A: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
with a minute erect apiculate process on the anterior margin, fleshy, 0.75-1.3
mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide; disk concave, with a longitudinal, somewhat T-shaped
slightly raised callus on the basal half in the center. Column short, thick, about
1 mm. long. Capsule obliquely cylindrical, about 1.5 cm. long.
This species varies considerably in the size of the sepals. It
has the largest flowers of all the Stelis found in Guatemala. The
leaves are large, and when dry are very tough, rigid and coriaceous.
Solola: Western slope of Volcan Atitlan, Hatch. — Quezaltenango :
Palma, Skutch 1433. Finca Moca, Bequaert 49. Moca, Lewis 74;
Bates 4.
Stelis microchila Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 9: 289. 1911 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Pansamala, July, 1886,
H. von Tilrckheim 700). Figure 58.
Epiphytic in wet mountain forests, up to 1,650 meters. Occa-
sional in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
FIG. 58. Stelis microchila. 1, lip, front-side view (X 63); 2, column, front-
side view (X 30); 3, column, front view (X 30); 4, lip, front view (X 63); 5, petal
(X 33); 6, flower (X 15). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 173
Plant small, densely caespitose, glabrous, 4.5-15 cm. tall; secondary stem very
short, 0.5-1.5 cm. long. Leaves erect, linear-oblanceolate to narrowly spatulate,
obtuse and minutely tricuspidate at the apex, tapering into the very short petiole,
2-5 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide, mostly oblique. Inflorescence filiform, rather densely
flowered, 2-4 times as long as the leaves. Bracts ovate-cucullate, acuminate,
hyaline, 1-2.5 mm. long. Flowers small, reddish-brown or bronze-green, spreading.
Pedicellate ovary recurved, 2-2.5 mm. long or slightly longer. Sepals mostly 1-
nerved or 3-nerved, the lower fourth adherent, usually coarsely glandular-pubes-
cent; dorsal sepal elliptic to ovate-oblong, obtuse, rarely apiculate, 1.3-3 mm. long,
1.5-2.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals obliquely orbicular-ovate, obtuse, 1.5-2.3 mm.
long, 1.2-2 mm. wide. Petals broadly cuneate to subreniform-quadrate, broadly
rounded to obtuse, thickened along the apical margin, from a broad base, 3-nerved,
0.75-1 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip small, fleshy, narrowly oblong, obtuse,
with two median and marginal falcate calli or lobes curving inward toward the
center of the disk, 0.5-0.75 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Column short, thick.
Capsule ellipsoid, prominently 6-ribbed, about 4 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2494. Coban, Johnson 729.
Mountains east of Tactic, on road to Tamahu, Standley 71340.
Near Coban, Standley 71658. Tactic, Johnston 1862. Along Rio
Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha, Standley 89823;
89919. Mountains along road between Tactic and the divide on
road to Tamahu, Standley 91399. — Huehuetenango : Vicinity of
Maxbal, about 17 miles north of Barillas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 48783.
Stelis ovatilabia Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 211. 1918 (type:
Guatemala, near Palohuero, Costa Cuca, April, 1878, Bernoulli &
Cario 583). Figures 59, 60, 61.
Epiphytic on trees in mixed pine-oak forests, up to 3,800 meters.
Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant usually very small, densely caespitose, glabrous, 5-23 cm. tall; secondary
stem mostly short and slender, 1-11 cm. long. Leaves erect, linear to linear-
spatulate, obtuse and inconspicuously retuse at the apex, 2-13 cm. long, 4-10 mm.
wide. Inflorescence slender, up to 10 cm. long including the peduncle, subtended
by a conduplicate sheath that is up to 7 mm. long. Bracts ovate-cucullate, clasp-
ing the rachis, acute to acuminate, 1.5-2.5 mm. long. Flowers greenish white,
small. Pedicellate ovary slender, about 2 mm. long. Sepals broadly ovate to
oval, obtuse, fleshy, 3-nerved, 1.5-2 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide. Petals sub-
orbicular to subreniform, oblique, 1-nerved, fleshy-thickened at the obtuse apex,
about 0.5 mm. long and wide. Lip ovate, obtuse, in natural position trulliform,
subtruncate and usually auriculate at the base, 3-nerved, somewhat thickened
transversely at the base in front of the very short claw, shallowly concave in front,
0.75-1 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Column dilated at the apex, almost twice
as long as the petals, about 1 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, conspicuously 6-ribbed,
2-4 mm. long.
FIG. 59. Stelis ovatilabia. 1, plant (X 1); 2, raceme (X 4); 3, flower, front
view ( X 11); 4, lip ( X 22); 5, flower, side view ( X 11); 6, column (anther removed;
X 21); 7, petal (X 21). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
174
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
175
Stelis ovatilabia is distinguished from other species in Guatemala
in having an elongated column that is almost twice as long as the
petals. The illustrations show flowers from three different speci-
mens to demonstrate variability in this species.
Amatitlan: Volcan Pacaya, Shannon 3670. — Chimaltenango:
Tecpam, Bates 19. Chichavac, Skutch 374. Calderas, Johnston
1470; 1471. — Guatemala: Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between
FIG. 60. Stelis ovatilabia. 1, flower
(about X 13); 2, column, front view
(X 20); 3, lip, front view (X 20); 4,
lip, side view (X 20); 5, petal (X 22).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
FIG. 61. Stelis ovatilabia. 1, flower
(about X 11); 2, column, front-side view
(anther removed; about X 22); 3, lip
(about X 20) ; 4, lip from the type (about
X 20); 5, petal (about X 24); 6, column
with petal attached (about X 18).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
San Francisco Sales and the base of the active cone, Standley 80762.—
Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark 47401. —
Suchitepequez : Volcan Santa Clara, between Finca El Naranjo
and upper slopes, Steyermark 46683; 46646.
Stelis parvula Lindl. Fol. Orch. (Stelis) 7. 1858.
Epiphytic on trees in forest, up to 1,900 meters alt. Uncommon
in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Common in Costa Rica.
Plant slender, short, glabrous, 5-14 cm. tall; secondary stem ascending or
erect, 1-4.5 cm. long, concealed by tubular loosely appressed brownish sheaths.
176 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Leaves including the petiole 2-6.5 cm. long; lamina linear, elliptic or linear-ob-
lanceolate, obtuse and tridenticulate at the apex, abruptly tapering into the
rather long petiole, 5-13 mm. wide. Inflorescence including the peduncle 6-10 cm.
long, slender, densely flowered. Bracts large for the plant, amplexicaul-peltiform,
dilated into an oblique suborbicular-ovate lamina with revolute margins, apiculate,
1.5-3.2 mm. long. Flowers white, greenish yellow or purplish, minute. Pedicel-
late ovary slender, about 1.5 mm. long. Sepals deltoid-ovate, rounded-obtuse to
subacute, adherent at the base, conspicuously 3-nerved, 1.5-2.5 mm. long, 1.5-
2.7 mm. wide. Petals orbicular-obovate to transversely elliptic-rhombic, truncate
to obtuse and fleshy-thickened at the obscurely verruculose apex, 3-nerved, 0.5-1.3
mm. long, about as wide as long. Lip ovate-subcordate or rhombic with obtuse
angles and upturned lateral margins, 0.75-1.2 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; disk
with a tuberous callus on each side below the middle, the calli coherent to form
a transverse ridge. Column minute, dilated. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, about
6 mm. long, prominently 3-angled and 6-ribbed.
This species is distinctive in having unusually large floral bracts
that are amplexicaul-peltiform with spreading, somewhat revolute
margins.
Alta Verapaz: Road Chama to Coban, Johnson 320.
Stelis perplexa Ames, Sched. Orch.l: 7. 1922 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Alta Verapaz, banks of Chisaxte River, below Secanquim,
May 9, 1905, H. Pittier 308).
Epiphytic, up to 900 meters alt. Uncommon in Guatemala and
Honduras.
Plant caespitose, glabrous, up to 16 cm. tall; secondary stem erect, rather
stout, about 2.5 cm. long, when young concealed by tubular sheaths, monophyllous.
Leaves ligulate, linear or narrowly oblanceolate, obtuse, often minutely and ob-
liquely tridentate at the apex, 3-9 cm. long, 5-10 mm. wide. Inflorescence including
the short peduncle up to 14 cm. long, exceeding the leaves, loosely few- to many-
flowered. Bracts surrounding the rachis, obliquely funnel-shaped or ovate-
cucullate, obtuse to acute, 1.5-2.3 mm. long. Flowers usually about 4 mm.
apart, small, light green. Pedicellate ovary exceeding the bracts, up to 3 mm.
long. Sepals orbicular-ovate, obtuse to acute, coherent below the middle, fleshy,
3-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, 2-2.2 mm. wide. Petals broadly rhomboid from a wide
base, obtuse-angled at the summit and thickened, narrowly triangular in cross
section at the tip, scarcely 1 mm. long and 1 mm. wide at the tip, 3-nerved. Lip
subrhomboidal from a wide base, obtuse-angled at the tip, 0.75-1 mm. long, 0.75-1
mm. wide, much thickened, with a transversely thickened callus in the middle of
the disk, apical half of lip in front of the callus strongly concave; callus dilated
at each side, constricted at the center. Column dilated above, equaling the petals.
This species differs from S. gracilis, to which it is closely allied,
in its broader sepals and stouter peduncles.
Alta Verapaz and Chiquimula (eastern portions) : Watson 221C. —
Chiquimula: Volcan Quezaltepeque, 3-4 miles northeast of Quezal-
tepeque, Steyermark 31475. — Izabal: 40 miles from coast, Lewis 6.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA
177
Stelis purpurascens A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se"r. 3, 3:
18. 1845. S. curvata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 358. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilguitz, July, 1907, H. von
Turckheim II 1889). S. Carioi Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 202.
1918 (type: Guatemala, near Guatemala, November, 1865, Ber-
noulli & Cario). S. fulva Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2:
FIG. 62. Stelis purpurascens. 1, flower (X 11); 2, column (X 18); 3, petal
(X 18); 4, lip (X 26). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
388. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilguitz, May,
1913, H. von Turckheim 4064). Figure 62.
Epiphytic on trees in damp forests, up to 1,800 meters alt.
Rather common and widespread in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras,
El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Plant stout, glabrous, somewhat caespitose, up to 43 cm. tall; secondary stem
erect or ascending, 4-19 cm. long. Leaves linear-oblanceolate, oblong or oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse and retuse at the apex, sessile or subsessile, usually oblique,
5-20 cm. long, 0.7-4 cm. wide. Inflorescence 1-2, up to 33 cm. long including
the peduncle, loosely many-flowered, arising from a prominent conduplicate lanceo-
STBLLS
'.be
ScMr.
FIG. 63. Stelis rubens. Plant (X 1); 1, flower (about X 11); 2, petal (X 20);
3, lip, from above (X 20); 4, lip, side view (X 20); 5, column (anther removed;
X 20); 6, lip, side view (drawn from the type of S. Tuerckheimii; about X 20);
7, flower (drawn from the type of S. rubens; about X 11); 8, petal (X 20); 9,
lip, side view (X 20); 10, lip, from above (X 20). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
178
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 179
late sheath, which is up to 2.5 cm. long. Bracts ovate-cucullate, clasping the
rachis, acute, acuminate or apiculate, 1.5-5 mm. long. Flowers spreading, reddish
brown, purplish or purplish green. Pedicellate ovary recurved, about 3 mm. long.
Sepals orbicular-ovate, ovate-elliptic or subrhombic, obtuse to subacute, adherent
to about the middle, 3-6-nerved with the nerves mostly carinate on the outside,
2-4 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Petals small, cuneate-obovate to broadly flabellate,
subtruncate-obtuse at the apex, with the apical margin thickened and more or
less verrucose, about 1 mm. long, 0.9-1.25 mm. wide. Lip fleshy, semiorbicular
to subreniform, broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex, occasionally with a slight
protuberance at the apex, about 1 mm. long, about as wide as long; disk 3-nerved,
provided with a transverse somewhat constricted fleshy ridge below the middle.
Column short, about as long as the petals. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, promi-
nently 3-ribbed, 8-10 mm. long.
This species is extremely variable. It is very similar in habit to
Stelis leucopogon but is distinguished from that species by its smaller
flowers.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 240. — Amatitlan: Pacaya, John-
ston 1384. — Guatemala: Large swamp east of Tactic, Standley
92342. Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley 58496. —
Quezaltenango: Above Mujulia, between San Martin Chile Verde
and Colomba, Standley 85563. — Santa Rosa: Laguna de Carrizal,
Heyde & Lux 4627. — Suchitepequez : Southwestern lower slopes of
Volcan Zunil, in vicinity of Finca Montecristo, southeast of Santa
Maria de Jesus, Steyermark 35256. — "Guatemala," Bates 13.
Stelis rubens Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 8: 564. 1910 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Cubilgiiitz, September, 1904,
H. von Turckheim II 1061). S. Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert. Sp.
Nov. 8: 564. 1910 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near
Cubilgiiitz, August, 1904, H. von Turckheim II 79). Figure 63.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,100 meters alt. Rare in Mexico,
Guatemala and British Honduras.
Plant slender, caespitose, glabrous, up to 23 cm. tall; secondary stem very
slender and short, 1-4 cm. long. Leaves erect, narrowly linear-oblong, obtuse and
minutely tridentate at the apex, tapering into the petiole, 4-13 cm. long, 4-7 mm.
wide. Inflorescence filiform, somewhat flexuose, up to 21 cm. long. Bracts ovate-
cucullate, subtruncate to acute, occasionally apiculate, 1-1.2 mm. long. Flowers
minute, spreading, white or yellowish green tinged with purple. Pedicellate ovary
slender, recurved, 1.5-2.2 mm. long. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse to apiculate,
coherent below the middle, minutely papillose-puberulent on the inner surface,
3-nerved, 1.3-2 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; dorsal sepal suberect-recurved.
Petals fleshy, broadly cuneate, rounded-truncate at the apex, thickened on the
apical margin and rarely apiculate, about 0.5 mm. long, about as wide as long.
Lip obscurely 3-lobed or rhombic-lanceolate, arcuate with a sharply upturned
acute tip, fleshy, the lateral lobes rounded and erect, apical lobe narrowly lanceo-
180 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
late or triangular-cymbiform, about 0.75 mm. long; disk with a thickened sub-
orbicular-elongate tubercle in the middle. Column short, the apical margin erose-
denticulate.
Izabal: 40 miles from coast, Lewis 5.
Stelis rubens var. oxypetala (Schltr.) Ames, Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 2, no. 1: 23. figs. pp. 6-7. 1934. S. oxypetala Schltr.
Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 203. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Pete"n,
near Faclus, September, 1877, Bernoulli & Carlo 624). Fig-
ure 64.
Variety oxypetala differs from the typical form of the species in the unusual,
thin texture of the petals, which are obliquely obovate-cuneate with a conspicuous
apicule at the apex. The apical margin is also usually irregularly crenulate. The
plants and flowers are usually larger than those of typical S. rubens.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection of
S. oxypetala.
Stelis tenuissima Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 204. 1918 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Quezaltenango, Sta. Maria Ikibal, May, 1878,
Bernoulli & Cario 590). Figure 65.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,250 meters alt. Rare in
Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant slender, glabrous, densely caespitose, 9-14 cm. tall; secondary stem
slender, 1-5 cm. long. Leaves linear to semiterete, obtuse, obliquely and minutely
tridenticulate at the apex, erect to strongly recurved above the middle, 3-7 cm.
long, 1.5-3 mm. wide. Inflorescence filiform, loosely many-flowered, up to 11 cm.
long including the peduncle. Bracts obliquely ovate-cucullate, acute or apiculate,
1.2-1.5 mm. long. Flowers minute, purplish brown or yellowish. Pedicellate
ovary slender, about 1.5 mm. long. Sepals orbicular-ovate, obtuse to subacute,
the lower third coherent, 1-3-nerved, concave, 1-1.5 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. wide.
Petals obliquely orbicular-quadrate to broadly cuneate-reniform, broadly rounded
to obtuse at the apex, 1-3-nerved, shallowly concave, 0.5-1 mm. long, 0.75-1 mm.
wide. Lip suborbicular to orbicular-rhombic, minutely mucronate, with the obtuse-
rounded lateral margins upturned and a tuft of cilia on each side at the base,
3-nerved, 0.75-1 mm. long, 0.5 mm. or more wide; disk with a thickened and
fleshy ovate callus on the lower half. Column short, thick, dilated at the triangular
obtuse apex.
FIG. 64. Stelis rubens var. oxypetala. Plant (X 1); 1, a portion of the raceme
(about X 2); 2, column, with the petals and lip attached (X 20); 3, petal (X 20);
4, column and lip, side view showing the protuberant stigma, the obliquely erect
rostellum, and the anther (X 20); 5, flower (about X 8); 6, pollinia (much en-
larged); 7, lip (much enlarged). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
181
182
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This species may be distinguished from other species of Stelis
found in Guatemala by the two tufts of cilia on each side at the base
of the lip and by the extremely slender, often semiterete leaves.
Quezaltenango: Finca Pirineos, lower south-facing slopes of
Volcan Santa Maria, between Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache',
FIG. 65. Stelis tenuissima. 1, flower (X 23); 2, petal (X 30); 3, column,
front-side view (X 40); 4, lip, front view (X 40); 5, lip, front-side view (X 40).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
Steyermark 33190. Montana Chicharro, on lower southeast-facing
slopes of Volcan Santa Maria, 2-4 miles south of Santa Maria de
Jesus, Steyermark 34305. Region of Las Nubes, south of San Martin
Chile Verde, Standley 83838.
20. PHYSOSIPHON Lindl.
Small epiphytic caespitose herbs with a solitary leaf at the apex; secondary
stems erect or ascending, provided with tubular sheaths. Roots fibrous from a
short creeping stem. Leaves fleshy or coriaceous, narrowed at the base. Flowers
small, in elongate racemes that rise in the axil of the leaf. Sepals connate for more
than half their length to form an obliquely 3-angled inflated tube that is spreading
or ventricose at the base and constricted at the mouth, free above and spreading.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 183
Petals and lip minute compared to the sepals, enclosed at the base of the sepaline
tube. Lip articulated to the base or foot of the column, 3-lobed (in ours) or entire,
fleshy, canaliculate. Column small, erect-arcuate, subterete, 3-lobed; anther
terminal, operculate, incumbent; pollinia 2, ovoid, ceraceous. Capsule small,
ellipsoid.
This is a small genus of perhaps a half dozen species which are
found in tropical America. It is very closely allied to Masdevallia
and Pleurothallis.
Sepals less than 5 mm. long P. minor.
Sepals more than 5 mm. long P. tubatus.
Physosiphon minor Rendle, Journ. Bot. 38: 275. 1900.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 2,300 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala,
Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant densely caespitose, up to 13 cm. tall, provided at the base with several
sheaths that conceal the secondary stem and the lower part of the peduncle and
petiole; sheaths brownish, tubular, loosely appressed, dilated at the mouth, up
to 1.5 cm. long; roots fibrous, whitish, smooth, slender. Secondary stem slender,
up to 2 cm. long, erect, unifoliate. Leaf shortly petioled; lamina oblong-elliptic
to narrowly elliptic, obliquely tridenticulate at the rounded to obtuse apex, sulcate
above, fleshy-coriaceous, up to 6 cm. long (including the petiole) and 1.3 cm. wide.
Peduncle usually one, occasionally as many as three, filiform, provided with several
short scarious bracts; raceme laxly flowered, with as many as fifteen flowers.
Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, embracing the rachis, obliquely truncate, up to 3 mm.
long. Flowers pale yellow on the upper half, deep maroon at the base, subdistich-
ous, with slender pedicellate ovaries that exceed the bracts. Sepals united to
above the middle to form a tube that is about 2 mm. long, 3-nerved, prominently
keeled on the back, 3.5-4 mm. long; free part ovate-oblong, acute, about 1 mm.
wide. Petals obliquely cuneate-oval to elliptic-cuneate, with the margins irregular
at the obtuse apex, 1-nerved, membranaceous, 1 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide.
Lip 3-lobed, arcuate in natural position, 3-nerved, about 2 mm. long and 1 mm.
wide; lateral lobes small, thin, erect, rounded; mid-lobe very fleshy-thickened,
suborbicular, obtuse, with the margin obscurely erose. Column with a prominent
foot, sulcate on the ventral surface, irregularly toothed at the apex, about 3 mm.
long including the concave foot.
Huehuetenango: Northwest of Cuilco, two-thirds of the way up
Cerro Chiquihui. above Carrizal, Steyermark 50803.
Physosiphon tubatus (Lodd.) Reichb. f. in Walp. Ann. 6: 188.
1861. Stelis tubatus Lodd. Bot. Cab. t. 1601. 1830. Physosi-
phon guatemalensis Rolfe, Kew Bull. 197. 1891 (type: Guatemala).
Figure 66.
Epiphytic on trees, especially oaks, in wet or dry forests, up to
3,500 meters alt. Rather common in Mexico and Guatemala.
FIG. 66. Physosiphon tubatus. 1, two flowering plants (X 1); 2, petal (X 10);
3, lip, spread out ( X 10) ; 4, lip and column, side view ( X 10) ; 5, column, front view
(X 10). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
184
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 185
Plant glabrous, erect or ascending, caespitose, 0.75-4.7 dm. tall; secondary
stem stout, encased by scarious tubular sheaths, 1.5-12 cm. long. Leaves elliptic
to oblanceolate, obtuse and minutely retuse at the apex, with a short sulcate
petiole, fleshy, 4-15 cm. long including the petiole, 1.5-3 cm. wide. Inflorescence
stout, with numerous approximate flowers, 8-42 cm. long including the peduncle.
Bracts tubular-spathaceous, acute or acuminate, scarious, dorsally carinate, 3-6.5
mm. long. Flowers vary in color from greenish yellow to brick red. Sepals 6-22
mm. long, including the sepaline tube; free part spreading, elliptic-oblong to
elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse or acute and mucronate, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate
along the mid-nerve, 3-10 mm. long, 0.8-3 mm. wide. Petals small, enclosed
at the base of the sepaline cup, obliquely obovate-spatulate to oblong-cuneate,
subtruncate, obtuse or obscurely 3-lobed at the apex, prominently 1-nerved,
1.5-2.5 mm. long, 0.6-1 mm. wide. Lip small, 3-lobed, somewhat arcuate and
canaliculate, conspicuously dorsally carinate along the 3 nerves, the upper part
clasping the column, 2-3.2 mm. long, 1-2.2 mm. wide across the lateral lobes when
spread out; lateral lobes semiquadrate, truncate, turned upward; terminal lobe
ovate, obtuse, crenulate along the margin, often papillose on the upper surface;
disk fleshy-thickened below the lateral lobes. Column slender, semiterete, arcuate,
3-lobed at the apex, 2-3.2 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, 3-angled, 8-10 mm. long.
This species is extremely variable, particularly in the length of
the sepals and in flower color. A complete series was found in the
size of the flowers, from 6 to 22 mm. long. It is known as "monja."
Amatitlan: Near Lake Atitlan, road from Panajachel, Margaret
Ward Lewis 81. — Chimaltenango: Johnston 1245. — Guatemala:
Calderas, Porter 3. — Huehuetenango: Aguacatan, Skutch 1918.
Aguacatan, Johnston 1707. Above Democracia on trail towards
Jutal, Steyermark 51036. Aguacatan road, 10 km. east of Huehue-
tenango, Standley 82101. — Quiche": Cune"n, Heyde & IMX 3490.—
San Marcos: Finca Vergel, near Rodeo, Standley 68948. — Santa
Rosa: Volcan Jumaytepeque, Heyde & Lux 4620. — Solola: Volcan
Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark 47430. — Zacapa: Sierra de
las Minas, between Santa Rosalia de Marmol and San Lorenzo,
Steyermark 43153.
21. MASDEVALLIA Ruiz & Pavon
Epiphytic herbs with creeping rhizomes; secondary stem short, terminated
by a solitary leaf, enclosed by scarious sheaths. Leaves fleshy, coriaceous, linear
or oblanceolate. Peduncle scapose, 1-several-flowered, arising at the base of the
petiole. Flowers small or large, variously colored. Sepals connate or connivent
to form a tube at the base, free portion spreading, terminated by a cauda or shortly
acuminate. Petals much smaller than the sepals, linear-oblong, dolabriform or
rhombic-quadrate. Lip small, polymorphic, articulated to the foot of the column,
subsessile or with a slender claw. Column erect or curved, with or without wings,
produced into a short foot at the base, apex entire or variously toothed; anther
terminal, operculate, incumbent, 1-celled; pollinia 2, ceraceous.
186 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This is a large and complex genus of some 250 species, which
are natives of tropical America. They are commonly found at high
elevations in cool mountain regions. Some of the species of Masde-
vallia are extremely variable in regard to the sepals. It is quite
possible that growth of the sepals continues after anthesis and after
fertilization has occurred, thus causing the apical portion and
caudae to become farther elongated. At one time this was an
exceptionally popular genus with orchid fanciers and some of the
rarer and more attractive species commanded fabulous prices.
1. Lip strongly constricted near the middle, pandurate; apical lobule calceolate-
saccate.
2. Lip about 5 mm. long; apical lobule about 2 mm. wide M. pusilla.
2. Lip more than 8 mm. long; apical lobule 5-6 mm. wide M. erythrochaete.
1. Lip not strongly constricted near the middle; apical portion not calceolate-
saccate.
3. Petals linear-oblong; lip linear-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, cordate at the
base, not broadest above the middle.
4. Free part of the lateral sepals more or less abruptly caudate . M. floribunda.
4. Free part of the sepals triangular, shortly acuminate, not caudate.
M. tubuliflora.
3. Petals not linear-oblong; lip oblong-spatulate to flabellate or obscurely
trilobed and ovate.
5. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 1 mm. or less wide .... M. chontalensis.
5. Petals not as above, 2 mm. or more wide.
6. Sepals long-caudate; column wings long, narrow, decurved.
M. linearifolia.
6. Sepals shortly acuminate; column wings obtuse or acute. . . .M. Simula.
Masdevallia chontalensis Reichb. f. Otia Bot. Hamb. 17.
1878.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,000 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala, rather widespread in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
Plant caespitose, glabrous, 5.5-11 cm. tall. Secondary stem short, up to 1 cm.
long, unifoliate, concealed by tubular chartaceous sheaths. Leaf erect, fleshy-
coriaceous, grass-green above, pale green beneath, linear-elliptic to narrowly
oblanceolate, minutely tridenticulate at the obtuse apex, tapering to a short
petiole, 2-8.5 cm. long, 3-9 mm. wide. Inflorescence regularly 2-flowered, exceed-
ing the leaves. Floral bracts infundibuliform, obtuse-apiculate, scarious, 3-5 mm.
long. Flowers white, tipped with yellow; pedicellate ovaries about 5 mm. long.
Sepals united to near the apex to form a sepaline tube, 3-nerved, tapering at the
apex to form thickened semiterete caudae; sepaline tube 1.1-1.7 cm. long including
the caudae; caudae up to 8 mm. long. Petals with a short claw, obliquely ovate-
lanceolate, obtuse-apiculate at the apex, 2.6-3.6 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide,
provided on the inner surface with a fleshy nipple and an intramarginal linear
callus on the anterior margin. Lip broadly oblong-spatulate, dilated near the
apex, obtuse, erose on the apical margin, decurved above the middle in natural
position and with the lateral margins slightly reflexed, 3-4.2 mm. long, 1.3-1.8 mm.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 187
wide; disk longitudinally sulcate in the center with the canal bordered by thickened
ridges. Column 3 mm. long, erose on the thin apical margin. Capsule light green,
obliquely ellipsoid, 6-ribbed, 1-2 cm. long.
Izabal : Cerro San Gil, uppermost ridges and summit, Steyermark
41957.
Masdevallia erythrochaete Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. 2: 392.
1882.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,250 meters. Rare in Guatemala and
Costa Rica.
Plant glabrous, caespitose; secondary stem obsolete, less than 5 mm. long,
enclosed by large loose scarious sheaths. Leaves linear or linear-oblanceolate,
obtuse to acute and minutely tridentate at the apex, tapering into the long tri-
angular-sulcate petioles, dorsally carinate along the mid-rib, 11-21 cm. long, 9-20
mm. wide. Peduncle horizontal or descending from the base of the petiole, recurved
near the apex, provided with several tubular sheaths, 2-3-flowered, 9-28 cm. long.
Sepals united near the base to form a wide shallow cup 4.5-9 cm. long from the
base to the tip of the caudae; free portion ovate-deltoid, 1.1-1.5 cm. wide, long-
caudate, the inner surface covered with small elongated papillae, white-yellow,
spotted with crimson-purple; caudae 3.5-7 cm. long, crimson-purple. Petals
oblong to oblong-obovate, broadly rounded-retuse and denticulate at the apex,
white or pale pink and brown-spotted, 1-nerved, 3-3.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide;
inner surface with a triangular lamella near the middle, papillose above the lamella.
Lip pandurate, deeply constricted below the middle to form two lobes, arcuate-
recurved and fleshy at the base, pale pink to almost white, 9-12.5 mm. long;
basal portion canaliculate, rhombic-cuneate and about 4 mm. wide when spread
out, the margins just below the constriction somewhat revolute, with two intra-
marginal calli on the disk; apical portion calceolate, semiorbicular-saccate, with
the three central veins lamellate and the branch veins of the lateral veins lamellate
on the marginal half, 5-6 mm. wide. Column short, thick, recurved, toothed at
the apex, narrowly winged, 3-4 mm. long.
Guatemala (fide Schlechter).
Masdevallia floribunda Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. p. 72. 1843.
M. Tuerckheimii Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 265. 1908 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, August, 1903, H. von Turckheim
II 464).
Epiphytic on trees in damp forests, up to 1,500 meters. Rather
widespread in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 15 cm. tall; secondary stem short,
erect or erect-spreading, up to 1 cm. long. Leaves oblanceolate to oblong-spatu-
late, obtuse or broadly rounded and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex, narrowed
into the slender sulcate petiole; fleshy, 4-14 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide above the
middle. Peduncle 2.5-10.5 cm. long including the pedicellate ovary, slender,
wiry, dull green streaked with crimson, 2-flowered. Bracts appressed, membranous,
188 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
apiculate, 1-1.5 cm. long. Sepals yellow- white with crimson spots, 3-nerved, more
or less abruptly tapering into the caudae. The caudae brownish orange and 3-14
mm. long; dorsal sepal 11-21 mm. long, united to the lateral sepals for about 6 mm.,
ovate-oblong, free part subrotund, deltoid; lateral sepals 11-20 mm. long, united
for 10-13 mm., oblong-elliptic, free part obliquely ovate to semiorbicular. Petals
linear-oblong, obtuse-truncate and retuse, apiculate or toothed at the apex, with
a pointed keel on the anterior margin, white, 5-5.5 mm. long, 1.2-1.5 mm. wide.
Lip linear-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, cordate and thickened at the base, obtuse-
rounded and reflexed at the apex, denticulate along the apical margin, 4.5-6 mm.
long, 1.5-2 mm. wide, white with crimson spots; disk laterally and medianly
bilamellate. Column green-purplish, suberect, thick, 4-5 mm. long. Capsule
obliquely cylindrical, about 12 mm. long.
This is an extremely variable species, particularly in the length
of the caudae. The sepals may be abruptly or gradually tapering
into the caudae.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 3996. — Izabal: Along slopes,
Rio Frio, Steyermark 39966.
The following collection is sterile but probably represents this
species: Quezaltenango: Lower south-facing slopes of Volcan Santa
Maria, between Finca Pirineos and Los Positos, between Santa
Maria de Jesus and Calahuache", Steyermark 33714.
Masdevallia linearifolia Ames, Sched. Orch. 5: 7. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, August, 1900, H. von
Turckheim 7784).
Epiphytic on trees in dense tropical forests, up to 650 meters alt.
Rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, 2-4 cm. tall; secondary stem con-
cealed by scarious sheaths, up to 6 mm. long. Leaves linear to linear-oblanceolate,
obtuse and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, 1.2-3.2 cm. long, 1-2
mm. wide near the apex. Peduncle with the pedicellate ovary 5-10 mm. long, fili-
form, 1-flowered, subtended by several scarious apiculate sheaths. Flowers light
yellow to brownish red, spotted with purple, more or less concealed among the
secondary stems and leaves. Sepals united at the base, dorsally carinate along
the nerves, 3-nerved lateral sepals united almost to the middle; dorsal sepal
elliptic-oblong, caudate-attenuate, thickened at the tip, concave, 5.5-8.5 mm.
long, about 2 mm. wide; lateral sepals obliquely ovate, triangular, caudate-
attenuate, with a transversely thickened callus on the anterior half of the inner
surface at mouth of tube orifice, 5.2-6 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Petals
dolabriform, obtuse, 2-nerved, emarginate on the anterior margin, 2-2.2 mm. long,
2-2.2 mm. wide just below the apex; inner surface with a papilliform callus on or
near the anterior margin below the middle on the upper half. Lip with a slender
claw, obovate-unguiculate, sagittate, obtusely rounded, with the lateral margins
erose or subfimbriate, 2-2.5 mm. long, 1.3-1.5 mm. wide; lateral basal auricles
slender, retrorse, parallel with or appressed to the claw; disk with a prominent
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 189
complanate callus at the base of each auricle. Column slender, curved, with a
deflexed or pendent triangular-acuminate acute wing on each side near the summit,
3 mm. long. Capsule obliquely obovoid-pyriform, conspicuously 3-angled, about
1 cm. long.
This species is closely allied to Masdevallia Simula but is dis-
tinguished from that species by its conspicuously caudate sepals,
sharply toothed lip-plate and long, narrow decurved column wings.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Masdevallia pusilla Rolfe, Kew Bull. 335. 1893. M. Johannis
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 359. 1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, near Coban, November, 1907, H. von Turckheim II
1993).
Epiphytic in damp forests, up to 1,600 meters. Rare in Guate-
mala, Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Plant caespitose, glabrous, 12-15 cm. tall; secondary stem short, enclosed by
scarious sheaths. Leaves erect-spreading, ligulate, obtuse to subacute and tri-
denticulate at the apex, tapering into the short petioles, dorsally carinate, 10-15
cm. long, 7-13 mm. wide. Peduncle slender, arcuate-deflexed, descending or hori-
zontal from the base of the petiole, dull reddish green, provided with small distant
tubular-amplexicaul bracts, 1-3-flowered, 6-12 cm. long. Bracts about 6 mm. long,
acuminate. Sepals united near the base into an oblique semiorbicular tube, up
to 3.2 cm. long from the base to the tip of the caudae, ovate-triangular to ovate-
. oblong, with the inner surface covered with elongated papillae, pale yellowish
green spotted with dark purple-brown; caudae variable in length, 8-22 mm. long.
Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse-rounded and reflexed at the apex, irregularly
denticulate along the apical margin, decurrent at the base, papillose on the inner
surface near the apex, keeled along the solitary central vein, yellow-white with
a pair of large purple blotches, 2.2-3.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip con-
stricted and reflexed above the middle, panduriform when spread out, 3-veined,
3.2-5 mm. long, with numerous light brown spots and some purplish lines near
the base; basal portion with erect sides, canaliculate, when spread out orbicular-
rhombic, with thickened calli along the lateral veins 3.2-3.5 mm. wide; apical
lobe calceolate, semiorbicular-saccate, with thickened keels along the 3 nerves
that branch out from the thickened constriction, about 2 mm. in diameter. Column
short, thick, about 3 mm. long; clinandrium irregularly denticulate.
This species is easily distinguished from Masdevallia erythrochaete,
which it resembles in habit, by the very small apical lobe of the lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection of
M. Johannis.
Masdevallia Simula Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. 1: 8. 1875. M.
guatemalensis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 201. 1918 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Cubilgiiitz, August, 1903, H. von
Turckheim, II 490). Figure 67.
190
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic in dense tropical forests, up to 600 meters. Uncommon
in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, 3-10 cm. tall; secondary stem
short, less than 1 cm. long, enclosed by short scarious sheaths. Leaves erect or
erect-spreading, narrowly linear to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse and tridenticulate
at the apex, often tinged with purple, 2-10 cm. long, 1.5-5 mm. wide. Peduncle
with the pedicellate ovary less than 1 cm. long, slender, 1-flowered. Flowers
small, suberect. Sepals united at the base to form a short saccate tube, dorsally
carinate along the three nerves, white marked with purple; dorsal sepal elliptic-
oblong, tapering into the shortly acuminate apex, longitudinally concave, incurved
at the apex, 6-12 mm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide; lateral sepals obliquely orbicular-
FIG. 67. Masdevallia Simula. 1, plant (about X 1); 2, plant (X V<i)', 3,
flower, side view (X 4) ; 4, lip, from above (X 5) ; 5, lip, front-side view, natural
position (X 6); 6, petal (X 4); 7, column, side view (X 6); 8, tip of leaf (enlarged).
Drawn by Dorothy O. Allen.
ovate to ovate-oblong, tapering into the shortly acuminate recurved apex, with a
transversely thickened lamella on the inner surface at the orifice of the sepaline
tube, 6-8 mm. long, 3.2-4 mm. wide. Petals obliquely rhombic-quadrate or
quadrate and bilobed at the apex, the angles or lobes obtuse, white with purple
markings, 2-3.5 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide near the apex. Lip sagittate, obscurely
trilobed-ovate to broadly flabellate, with a prominent deltoid-acute spreading
auricle on each side at the base, the lobules broadly rounded with the apical
lobule decurved and unevenly crenulate along the margin, transparent white,
3.2-5 mm. long including the short slender claw, 3-3.5 mm. wide; disk 3-nerved,
with the lateral veins fleshy-thickened just above the auricles. Column purple,
toothed at the apex, with short acute or obtuse deflexed wings near the apex.
Capsule obliquely ovoid, glabrous, triangular, prominently 6-ribbed, 5-7 mm. long.
This species is represented in Guatemala only by the type col-
lection of M. guatemalensis.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 191
Masdevallia tubuliflora Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 265. 1908 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, January, 1902, H. von
Tiirckheim 512). Figure 68.
Epiphytic on trees. Rare in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa
Rica.
Plant small, caespitose, glabrous, 7-9 cm. tall; secondary stem obsolete, erect,
less than 1 cm. long. Leaves oblanceolate, broadly rounded and retuse at the
apex, 3.5-9.5 cm. long, 8-12 mm. wide. Peduncle including pedicellate ovary
6-8 cm. long, slender, filiform, with a solitary flower. Flowers recurved-nodding,
white or yellowish with a purple blotch in the throat of the calyx. Sepals united
into a recurved tube for about two-thirds their length, conspicuously 3-nerved.
Dorsal sepal 1.5-1.9 cm. long to the base of the tube; free part somewhat thickened,
linear-lanceolate, acute, fleshy. Lateral sepals 1.3-1.7 cm. long to the base of the
tube; free part falcate, obliquely triangular, fleshy-thickened. Petals obliquely
linear-oblong, obtuse-apiculate at the apex, slightly dilated at the middle, con-
spicuously 1-nerved, with an intramarginal linear callus on the inner surface
extending from about the middle to near the apex, 4-4.2 mm. long, about 1.2 mm.
wide. Lip linear-lanceolate, cordate at the base, acute-apiculate at the apex,
denticulate along the margin near the apex, tuberous-thickened on the lower
surface at the base, about 4 mm. long, 1.2-1.5 mm. wide near the base; disk
with two lamellate calli near the middle along the two lateral veins. Column
short, thick, tridentate at the apex, 3.5-4 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to Masdevallia Livingstoneana Reichb.
f., a Costa Rican and Panamanian species, but differs from that
species in that the sepaline tube is narrowly cylindrical instead of
being urceolate and the free part of the dorsal sepal is directed
forward instead of being conspicuously recurved.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
DOUBTFUL SPECIES
Masdevallia jalapensis Kranzl., Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 34: 117.
1925 (type: Guatemala, saxicola et terrestris in quercetis haud
densis in via a Sta. Rosa Jalapam in 1500 m.s.m. [F. C. Lehmann
1296 !]— Herb. Boissier.— Barbey-Unicum !) .
Kranzlin compared M. jalapensis with Pleurothallis immersa,
and in our opinion this concept is very probably referable to the
genus Pleurothallis. Kranzlin described his plant as having a raceme
11 cm. long composed of about twenty flowers. The dorsal sepal
was also described as being almost free to the base and the lateral
sepals were united to form a cymbiform bifid lamina. In Central
America we know no species of Masdevallia that approach this
description. There are, however, several species of Pleurothallis,
MASDEVALLIA
FIG. 68. Masdevallia tubuliflora. Plant (X 1); 1, petal (X 10); 2, lip (X 7).
Original drawing by Oakes Ames; redrawn by D. E. Tibbitts.
192
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 193
especially P. immersa, which closely resemble the description of
M. jalapensis.
22. SCAPHOSEPALUM Pfitzer
Epiphytic repent or caespitose herbs consisting of an abbreviated or elongated
primary stem and short unifoliate secondary stems that are provided with scarious
sheaths. Leaves coriaceous, contracted below into a short petiole. Peduncles
lateral from the lowermost node of the secondary stem, provided with several
short scarious bracts and supporting a lax many-flowered spicate raceme. Flowers
small. Sepals spreading, narrow, sharply acute or more or less caudate at the
apex; dorsal sepal free or essentially free; lateral sepals united into a concave
bifid lamina that has a retrorse fleshy excrescence near the apex of each sepal.
Petals smaller than the sepals. Lip uppermost, small, variously shaped and
adorned on the disk with lamellae, articulate with the column-foot. Column
incurved, dilated and emarginate or winged above, produced at the base into a
short foot; clinandrium oblique, concave, with the margins variously denticulate;
anther terminal, operculate, incumbent, cucullate, 1-celled; pollinia two, cereous,
narrowly ovoid, compressed. Capsule narrowly obovoid, erostrate, lightly costate.
This is a small genus of about twenty species that are confined
to the American tropics. The lateral inflorescence, a character
that has apparently been previously overlooked, is unique in the
Pleurothallidinae .
Scaphosepalum Standleyi Ames, Sched. Orch. 9: 24, fig. 4-
1925. Figure 69.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,000 meters alt. Uncommon
in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant up to 1.5 dm. tall; rhizome abbreviated. Secondary stems densely
caespitose, abbreviated, up to 1 cm. long, slender, unifoliate, nearly concealed by
short scarious sheaths. Leaves erect, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, tridenticu-
late at the obtuse apex, tapering below to a short sulcate petiole; lamina coriaceous,
up to 10 cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide; petiole up to 2.5 cm. long. Peduncle lateral
from the lowermost node of the secondary stem, filiform, provided with several
minute closely appressed tubular bracts. Raceme slender, with the flowers opening
in succession. Floral bracts ovate, acute, concave, about equal to the pedicellate
ovaries, about 3 mm. long. Flowers dark purple-red or purplish green, distichously
arranged. Dorsal sepal free, 5-7 mm. long, oblong, obtuse, strongly concave
below the middle; apical half thickened, convex, dorsally carinate with the keel
becoming evanescent above the middle of the sepal. Lateral sepals 6-9 mm. long,
united almost throughout their length; lamina broadly elliptic, bidentate at the
apex, strongly concave, 3.5-5.5 mm. wide, furnished above the middle (on each
mid-nerve) with a blunt papilliform retrorse callosity, strongly carinate exteriorly
along the mid-nerve of each sepal with the keels terminating in prolonged rostri-
form appendages. Petals semielliptic, 2-nerved, acute, shortly aristate beneath
the lip, about 3 mm. long and 1.2 mm. wide. Lip linguiform, obtuse, 3-nerved
at the base, strongly bicarinate on the disk near the middle, with the keels more
194 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
or less crescentiform, 2-3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Column 2-3 mm. long,
produced at the base into a conspicuous foot, dilated above, tridentate at the apex
with the apical margin obscurely denticulate.
Izabal: Along creek between Virginia and Lago Izabal, Montana
del Mico, Steyermark 38823.
23. LEPANTHESSw.
Small or dwarf epiphytic herbs with a short rhizome that gives rise to caespitose
erect slender unifoliate secondary stems concealed by sheaths. Sheaths tubular,
enlarged and dilated at the oblique apex and marked with several longitudinal
ridges, usually ciliate. Leaves sessile or subsessile, more or less rigidly coriaceous,
orbicular to linear, with a prominently or obscurely tridentate apex. Racemes
axillary, solitary or fasciculate. Flowers usually small, few or numerous, sometimes
solitary, 2-ranked. Sepals spreading or erect, subequal, broadly ovate to narrowly
lanceolate, united at the base; lateral sepals more or less connate. Petals minute,
with the short claw adnate to the base of the column, simple or transversely bilobed,
usually much wider than long. Lip minute, adnate at the base or just above the
base of the column, 2- or 3-lobed; lobes variously shaped, erect, with the large
lateral lobes parallel to and embracing the column. Column short, fleshy; anther
terminal, operculate, usually obovate; pollinia two, waxy, pyriform, pedicellate.
Capsule obovoid.
This is a complex and difficult genus of about sixty species which
are usually found at high elevations in the mountains of tropical
America. Many of the described species are closely allied or poorly
defined.
1. Inflorescence exceeding the leaves.
2. Petals simple, not 2-lobed; lip 3-lobed, with the mid-lobe small and smooth.
L. Johnsonii.
2. Petals unequally 2-lobed; lip 2-lobed, at most with an apicule in the sinus.
3. Dorsal sepal 6 mm. or less long, subacute or caudate.
4. Dorsal sepal shortly caudate; leaves less than 1.2 cm. long. .L. gibberosa.
4. Dorsal sepal subacute; leaves 1.5 cm. or more long L. oreocharis.
3. Dorsal sepal 7 mm. or more long, long-acuminate L. guatemalensis.
1. Inflorescence shorter than the leaves.
5. Lip with a ciliate apicule or short pubescent mid-lobe in the sinus between
the lateral lobes.
6. Lateral lobes of lip ciliate at the apex, with a ciliate apicule in the sinus;
petals more than 2.5 mm. wide L. samacensis.
6. Lateral lobes of lip smooth, with a small pubescent lobe in the sinus;
petals less than 2.5 mm. wide.
FIG. 69. Scaphosepalum Standleyi. Plant (about X 2); 1, flower, side view,
with the perianth segments spread out, showing the external rostrate appendages
of the lateral sepals and the retrorse appendages on the inner surface (about
X 8); 2, column, front-side view (about X 14); 3, lip (about X 12); 4, petal (about
X 12). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
1
SCAPHOSEPALUM
Stajwfeyt
195
196 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
7. Lateral lobes of lip crescentiform and overlapping; leaves elliptic to
oblanceolate L. excedens.
7. Lateral lobes of lip oblong-subquadrate, not overlapping; leaves ovate.
L. appendiculata.
5. Lip without a ciliate apicule or pubescent mid-lobe, at most with a smooth
apicule in the sinus.
8. Dorsal sepal 5.5 mm. or more long.
9. Petals with the suborbicular lobes about equal, usually less than 3 mm.
wide; leaves ovate to elliptic-oblong L. acuminata.
9. Petals with the narrow lobes unequal, 3 mm. or more wide; leaves
narrowly elliptic to linear-lanceolate L. inaequalis.
8. Dorsal sepal usually much less than 5.5 mm. long.
10. Leaves suborbicular-ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 8 mm. or more wide;
flowers conspicuously distichously arranged L. Turialvae.
10. Leaves narrowly elliptic to linear-lanceolate, 8 mm. or less wide;
flowers not conspicuously distichous.
11. Leaves acuminate; dorsal sepal 3-3.5 mm. long L. stenophylla.
11. Leaves obtuse to acute; dorsal sepal up to 5 mm. long.L. oreocharis.
Lepanthes acuminata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 355. 1912
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Coban, September, 1907,
H. von Turckheim II 1965).
On rotten logs and epiphytic on trees in mountain forests, up
to 1,800 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant small, erect, up to 8 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender, up to 6 cm. long,
monophyllous, concealed by 3-8 tubular sheaths; sheaths conspicuously dilated
and shortly acuminate at the apex, profusely hispid along the prominent nerves
and margin of the apex. Leaves ovate to elliptic-oblong, abruptly constricted
above to form a narrowly obtuse and tridenticulate apex, marginate, 1-2.8 cm.
long, 4.5-12 mm. wide. Racemes 1-2, laxly several-flowered, slender, about 1 cm.
long including the short filiform peduncle. Floral bracts oblong-cucullate, apicu-
late, about 2 mm. long, hispid dorsally and on the margins. Flowers small, slender,
suberect. Sepals united at the base, slightly thickened at the apex, greenish;
dorsal sepal broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate, 3-nerved, 6-7 mm. long, 2-2.5
mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate,
somewhat 2-nerved, united for about 1.5 mm., 5-6 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide
above the point of coalescence. Petals 1.3-2 mm. long, 2.5-3.2 mm. wide, broadly
obcordate or transversely bilobed with the lobes oblong-orbiculate and broadly
rounded, forming an obtuse angle. Lip reddish, 1.25-2.3 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide, cordate at the base with the angles obtuse, forcipate-bilobed above, with a
pubescent suberect submarginal tubercle on the lower surface near the broadly
obtuse sinus; apical lobes linear-falcate, subobtuse to acute, with a thin mem-
branous lamella on the upper surface. Column reddish, slender, exceeding the lip
in length.
This species is distinguished by its lanceolate, long-acuminate
sepals and rotundate-lobed petals.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnson 730. Samac-Coban, Johnson 766.
Samac, Johnson 876. Near Coban, Turckheim II 1840 (in part).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 197
Lepanthes appendiculata Ames, Sched. Orch. 3: 9. 1923
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Samdc, October 20, 1920,
Harry Johnson 879).
Epiphytic on trees. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, up to 9.5 cm. tall. Secondary stem 1.5-7 cm. long,
monophyllous, slender, the longer ones with six closely appressed sheaths that
are hispidulous along the prominent nerves; sheaths dilated at the summit, termi-
nating in an acute tip, purplish when dry. Leaves ovate, acuminate and obliquely
tridenticulate at the apex, contracted at the base into a short sulcate petiole,
coriaceous, 2-3 cm. long, up to 1.7 cm. wide. Peduncles 1-3, shorter than the leaf,
filiform, with the raceme about 1.5 cm. long. Floral bracts minute, dorsally
hispid. Flowers distichous, crowded. Sepals united at the base. Dorsal sepal
ovate-elliptic, subacute, somewhat 3-nerved, 2.5-3 mm. long, 1.8-2 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals coherent to about the middle, obliquely orbicular-ovate, subapicu-
late, 2-veined, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide across the free portion near
point of coalescence. Petals obliquely crescentiform or deeply bilobed with the
lobes subquadrate and obtuse, 1 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Lip 1-1.5 mm.
long, about 1.8 mm. wide, 3-lobed, auriculate on each side at the base; lateral
lobes oblong-subquadrate, obtuse, much exceeding the middle lobe, carinate on
the upper surface; middle lobe fleshy, deltoid-rounded, thicker than wide, covered
with glandular spreading hairs, narrowed into the slender claw. Column slender,
gradually dilated toward the summit.
In habit Lepanthes appendiculata resembles L. samacensis, but
differs from it in the form of the petals and lip. In the shape of the
petals, it is comparable to L. acuminata.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Lepanthes excedens Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Lean1. Harv.
Univ. 10: 72, pi. 6. 1942 (type: Guatemala, road to Mataquescuintla,
about 18 miles from Guatemala City, alt. about 6,000 feet, February
19, 1935, Margaret Ward Lewis 105). Figure 70.
Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant minute, erect or ascending, caespitose, epiphytic, usually less than 4 cm.
tall. Roots simple, white, filiform. Secondary stem filiform, red, unifoliate, less
than 1.5 cm. long, concealed by two or more infundibuliform sheaths. Sheaths
dilated and acute at the apex, lightly costate, with the costae and apical margin
ciliolate. Leaves dark green or ruddy, especially on the lower surface and near the
margins, elliptic to oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute and tridenticulate at the
apex, tapering at the base into the short petiole, marginate, fleshy, glabrous,
somewhat undulate-contracted on the margins and conduplicate-ensiform with
age, up to 13 mm. long including the petiole and 5.5 mm. wide. Inflorescences
one or two, commonly a little shorter than the leaf, loosely 3- to 8-flowered. Floral
bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, glabrous, less than 1 mm. long, longer than the
pedicellate ovaries. Flowers extremely small, somewhat arcuate-recurved, about
3 mm. long. Sepals pale yellowish green, united at the base. Dorsal sepal elliptic-
198 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
lanceolate, acute, concave below the middle, 3-nerved, up to 3 mm. long and 1.5
mm. wide near the base. Lateral sepals united to about the middle, obliquely
ovate-elliptic, acute, up to 2.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide above the point of
coalescence. Petals green and reddish-purple, broadly flabelliform-bilobed, with
an apicule in the sinus, up to 0.5 mm. long and 1.2 mm. wide; posterior lobe oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse; anterior lobe obliquely quadrate, truncate or retuse at the
apex. Lip bright purple, with a rather broad involute claw, 3-lobed, obovate in
outline, about 1 mm. long, usually narrower than long; lateral lobes not auriculate
at the base, linear-oblanceolate, crescentiform, broadly rounded at the apex, in-
curved so as to overlap one another, lightly keeled near the middle; mid-lobe
small, narrowly ovate-triangular, subacute, pubescent. Column cylindrical,
fleshy, about 1.2 mm. long, with a dorsal flap near the apex, acute-apiculate at
the apex; clinandrium tridentate; pollinia two.
This species is easily identified by its peculiar lip, which has
rather broad lateral lobes that are incurved in front so as to overlap.
The column and petals are also distinctive and are useful in separat-
ing the species from nearly allied entities. The specific name signifies
"overlapping" in reference to the position of the lateral lobes of the
lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Lepanthes gibberosa Ames, Sched. Orch. 3: 12. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Ainal, July, 1886, H. von Turck-
heim 967).
Epiphytic, up to 1,400 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant small, caespitose, up to 5 cm. tall including the inflorescence. Secondary
stem monophyllous, 1.3-2 cm. long, concealed by several elongated sheaths;
sheaths with hispid nerves and the margin of the infundibuliform summit hispid.
Leaves elliptic, coriaceous, marginate, shortly petiolate, up to 9 mm. long and
5 mm. wide. Peduncles 2 or more, exceeding the leaves, 2 cm. or more long;
raceme lax, several-flowered. Floral bracts infundibuliform, dorsally hispid, 1.5
mm. long. Flowers pink and red. Sepals united at the base. Dorsal sepal tri-
angular-ovate, with a shortly caudate tip, 3-nerved, 6 mm. long, 3.5 mm. wide
where it joins the lateral sepals. Lateral sepals about 6 mm. long, coherent
nearly to the middle, forming a deeply bilobed 4-nerved lamina that is 4 mm. wide,
each lobe of which is abruptly narrowed into a linear-caudate termination 2.5 mm.
long; at the base of the caudate termination each sepal is strongly protuberant
on the inner margin. Petals transversely obliquely linear-lanceolate, with the
anterior lobe narrow and acuminate, about 1 mm. long and 2.5 mm. wide. Lip
1.75 mm. long, cordate at the base with the auricles rounded, deeply bilobed in
FIG. 70. Lepanthes excedens. 1, plant (X 2); 2, sepals, spread out (X
3, lip, from above (X 20); 4, petal (X 20); 5, column, dorsal-side view (X 15).
Pleurothallis angustisepala. 6, plant (X 1AY,1, flower, side view (X 2); 8, sepals,
spread out, and column (X 2) ; 9, lip, spread out ( X 5) ; 10, petal (X 7}^). Drawn
by G. W. Dillon.
199
200 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
front, the lobes obtuse, each with a membranaceous keel. Column slender,
about 1.5 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to Lepanthes guatemalensis, from
which it differs in that the lateral sepals are protuberant on the
inner margin near the base of the caudate tip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Lepanthes guatemalensis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 355.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, June,
1908, H. von Turckheim II 2387). L. Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert.
Sp. Nov. 10: 357. 1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz,
near Coban, H. von Turckheim 15 [November, 1877], 45 [1878],
11 [September, 1907]).
Epiphytic on trees in mountain forests, up to 3,000 meters alt.
Rare in Guatemala.
Plant small, caespitose, up to 12 cm. tall. Secondary stem erect or ascending,
slender, monophyllous, up to 5 cm. long, concealed by 2-4 long tubular sheaths;
sheaths slightly dilated at the apex, with the prominent nerves and apical margins
minutely hispid. Leaf erect, elliptic to broadly obovate, minutely retuse at the
broadly rounded apex, marginate, abruptly tapering into the short petiole, 0.8-2
cm. long, 3-8 mm. wide. Raceme slender, loosely few-flowered, usually with the
rachis retrofracted, up to 11 cm. long including the peduncle, exceeding the leaf;
peduncle filiform, glabrous. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, apiculate, minutely
and sparsely hispid on the outer surface, about 1.5 mm. long. Flowers suberect,
pink and red. Sepals united at the base, 3-nerved; dorsal sepal broadly ovate-
lanceolate, long-acuminate, 7-9 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. wide at the base; lateral
sepals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, long-acuminate, united at the base for about
1.5-2.5 mm., 7-8 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide above the point of coalescence. Petals
transversely obliquely linear-lanceolate or bilobed, 3.5-4 mm. wide, about 1 mm.
long; posterior lobe oblong-quadrate, broadly rounded; anterior lobe narrowly
acuminate. Lip broadly subcordate-cuneate, with broadly obtuse angles on each
side at the base, forcipate-bilobed above with a glabrous linear suberect apicule
in the broad sinus, 1.3-2 mm. long, almost as wide as long; lateral lobes falcate-
lanceolate, obtuse, lightly carinate, with a membranaceous keel on the upper sur-
face. Column slender, about 1.25 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2495. — El Progreso: Sierra de
las Minas, between Finca Piamonte and top of Montana Piamonte
along Joya Pacayal, Steyermark 43702a. — Zacapa: Sierra de las
Minas, between Cerro de Monos and upper slopes of Monte Virgen,
Steyermark 42883.
Lepanthes inaequalis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 356. 1912
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, November,
1877, H. von Turckheim).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 201
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,400 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, caespitose, 6-14 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender,
monophyllous, 3-9 cm. long, concealed by 4-9 tubular sheaths; sheaths spreading
revolute and acuminate at the apex, with the costae and apical margin densely
ciliolate. Leaf erect or spreading, elliptic to linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to
acuminate and tridenticulate at the apex, glabrous, marginate, somewhat undu-
late-constricted along the margins, usually with a purple tinge particularly along
the margins, 1.8-5 cm. long, 4-8 mm. wide. Racemes 1-3, filiform, 3-6-flowered,
up to 1 cm. long including the peduncle. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, shortly
acuminate, about as long as the pedicellate ovaries, dorsally ciliolate. Flowers
erect-spreading, white-red. Sepals united at the base; dorsal sepal triangular-
ovate, acute to subacuminate, 3-nerved, 6-6.5 mm. long, about 4 mm. wide at
the base; lateral sepals united to about the middle, obliquely ovate or semicordate,
shortly acuminate, 2-nerved, 5-6 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide just above the point
of coalescence. Petals transversely obliquely bilobed, 3-4.5 mm. wide, 1-nerved;
posterior lobe obliquely oblong or orbicular-quadrate, subtruncate at the apex,
1.8-2 mm. wide; anterior lobe obliquely triangular or oblong-quadrate, broadly
obtuse at the apex, 0.9-1.1 mm. wide. Lip concave, cordate at the base with
broadly obtuse lobes on each side, forcipate-bilobed above, with a minute apicule
in the sinus, about 2.5 mm. long, 2.2-2.5 mm. wide; lobes falcate, lanceolate-
triangular, obtuse, each longitudinally carinate. Capsule conspicuously oblique,
ovoid, about 6 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Samac-Coban, Johnson 767. Samac, Johnson
886.
Lepanthes Johnsonii Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 24. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chama, July 26, 1920, Harry
Johnson 420).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 900 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant minute, glabrous, 3.5 cm. tall. Secondary stem concealed by about
3 closely appressed elongated hispidulous sheaths, about 1 cm. long; sheaths
dilated abruptly at the summit into a thickened ring-like hispid rim that is pro-
duced on one side into a slender rigid acute point, 3-4 mm. long. Leaves elliptic,
coriaceous, apiculate and denticulate at the apex, contracted at the base into an
abbreviated slender petiole, conspicuously marginate, 1-1.2 cm. long, 4 mm.
wide. Peduncles 1 or 2; raceme about 1.5 cm. long, lax, usually 4-flowered. Bracts
of the inflorescence tubular-infundibuliform, dorsally hispid. Flowers about 2 mm.
apart, pink-purple. Sepals united, forming a 3-lobed calyx with the lobes caudate-
tipped; dorsal sepal triangular-caudate, 1 cm. long to the base, free portion about
3.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals 1.1 cm. long to base, about 7 mm. long to the sinus,
free portion triangular-caudate, 4 mm. wide. Petals narrowly triangular, acute,
oblique, 3 mm. long in a line parallel to the dorsal sepal, 0.75 mm. wide near the
point of insertion, rounded on the outer angle nearest the point of insertion. Lip
3-lobed; lateral lobes much larger and longer than the middle lobe, similar to the
petals, 2 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide, rounded at the base; mid-lobe about 0.5 mm.
long, longer than broad, porrect, obtuse. Column fleshy, short.
202 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This species is distinctive among the Guatemalan species of
Lepanthes in that the flowers are extremely large in relation to the
size of the diminutive vegetative parts of the plant.
It is represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Lepanthes oreocharis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 483. 1912
(type: Guatemala, on a mountain ridge, May, 1900, A. Wendt),
Epiphytic on trees in mixed forests at high altitudes, up to 3,500
meters alt. Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant small, erect or ascending, caespitose, 4-10 cm. tall. Secondary stem
slender, provided with 3-4 long tubular sheaths 1.5-7 cm. long; sheaths costate,
obliquely dilated at the apex, shortly acuminate, ciliate along the costae and margin
of the apex. Leaves elliptic, linear or lanceolate, obtuse to acute and tridenticulate
at the apex, coriaceous, subsessile, green mottled with purple, 1.5-4 cm. long,
3-7 mm. wide. Raceme one or several, rather densely flowered, filiform, 1.2-3 cm.
long including the short peduncle. Bracts tubular-cucullate, scarious, subtruncate
or acute, about 1 mm. long. Flowers small, glabrous. Sepals pale yellow with
a purple hue, united at the base; dorsal sepal ovate to ovate-oblong, subacute,
up to 5 mm. long; lateral sepals obliquely oblong-elliptic, subobtuse to apiculate,
connate to about the middle, about as long as the dorsal sepal. Petals dull yellow,
transversely bilobed, forming a right angle, glabrous, 2-3.5 mm. wide; posterior
lobe subquadrate-oblong, broadly round or obtuse at the apex; anterior lobe
oblong, obtuse, a little shorter and narrower than the posterior lobe. Lip with
a short narrow claw, 1.3-2 mm. long, orange with purple suffusion, quadrate-
auriculate at the base, with the auricles obtuse, bipartite above the middle, with
a short mucro in the sinus, the lobes obliquely lanceolate and very obtuse; disk
with two longitudinal curved calli extending from the base of the lip to above
the middle of each of the apical lobes. Column glabrous, slender.
Quezaltenango: Volcan Zunil, Steyermark 34673. — Solola: Volcan
Santa Clara, south-facing slopes to summit, Steyermark 47009.—
Zacapa: Cloud forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Alejandria,
summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria, Steyer-
mark 29839. Forested slopes near summit of Sierra de las Minas,
near Finca Alejandria, Steyermark 29807.
Lepanthes samacensis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 25. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Samac, October 20, 1920, Harry
Johnson 880).
Epiphytic on trees in dense or open forests, up to 1,400 meters
alt. Rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant small, caespitose, up to 5.2 cm. tall. Secondary stem erect or ascending,
0.7-3.5 cm. long, with 2-4 elongated tubular sheaths; sheaths lanceolate and acute,
at the summit often blackish, with the nerves hispidulous. Leaves suborbicular,
apiculate and tridenticulate at the apex, marginate, coriaceous, 8-22 mm. long
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 203
including the abbreviated petiole and apicule, 5-14 mm. wide. Inflorescence
usually solitary, about 1 cm. long; peduncle filiform, with a closely appressed
bract near the middle, about 5 mm. long; raceme densely few-flowered, about
5 mm. long. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, dorsally hispid, 1-1.5 mm. long.
Flowers minute. Sepals pink, 1-nerved, often beaded along the margins; dorsal
sepal coherent at the base with the laterals, ovate-lanceolate, acute, about 3 mm.
long and 1.2 mm. wide; lateral sepals coherent to about the middle, about 2 mm.
long, forming a suborbicular bilobed lamina about 2 mm. wide, lobes obliquely
deltoid-acute and about 1 mm. wide, with the outer margins minutely ciliate.
Petals red, transversely subcrescentiform and 3-4 mm. wide, with the margins
minutely ciliolate; posterior lobe deltoid-lanceolate, obtuse, 0.75-1 mm. wide;
anterior lobe narrowly lanceolate, acute. Lip red, 1-1.5 mm. long, up to 1.25 mm.
wide, subquadrate-cordate, the base with an elongate auricle on each side, apex
deeply cleft to about the middle or bilobed with a densely ciliate suberect apicule
in the sinus; lateral lobes narrowly oblong and slightly incurved with a conspic-
uously ciliate apex, convergent. Column reddish, slender up to the bilobed apex.
This species is closely allied to L. Turialvae but is, in part, dis-
tinguished from that species by the ciliate apicule and lateral lobes
of the lip.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1840 (in part).
Lepanthes stenophylla Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 396.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, September,
1907, H. von Turckheim II 1969).
Epiphytic on trees, at high elevations, up to 3,000 meters alt.
Rather common in Guatemala.
Plant small, erect or ascending, densely caespitose, 4-11.5 cm. tall. Secondary
stem filiform, monophyllous, 4.5-9 cm. long, concealed by 3-7 tubular sheaths;
sheaths somewhat dilated and acute to long-apiculate at the apex, minutely ciliate
along the costae and on the apical margin. Leaf erect or erect-spreading, linear-
lanceolate, acuminate and tridenticulate at the apex, glabrous, marginate, some-
what undulate-constricted along the margins, 1.5-3 cm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide.
Racemes 1-several, shorter than the leaves, up to 1.5 cm. long including the
peduncle, filiform, loosely many-flowered. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, apiculate,
dorsally sparingly ciliate. Flowers small, erect-spreading, yellow-reddish. Sepals
united at the base; dorsal sepal ovate, acute to shortly acuminate, 3-nerved,
3-3.5 mm. long, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals united to about the middle,
obliquely ovate, shortly acuminate, 2-nerved, 2.5-3 mm. long, 1-1.8 mm. wide
just above the point of coalescence. Petals transversely bilobed, about 3 mm.
wide; posterior lobe obliquely oblong, obtuse, 0.5-0.8 mm. wide; anterior lobe
triangular-oblong, subacute, about 0.35 mm. wide. Lip concave, subquadrate-
cordate, obtusely cordate at the base, forcipate-bilobed above, with a minute
apicule in the sinus; lobes obliquely triangular-falcate, obtuse to subacute, 1.5-
1.75 mm. long.
Lepanthes stenophylla is closely allied to L. inaequalis but differs
from that species, in part, by having much smaller flowers and
204 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
differently shaped petals. The plants are also usually much smaller
than those of L. inaequalis.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 418. Rio Coban, between Coban
and San Pedro, Johnson 607; 608. Coban, Johnson 731. Samac-
Coban, Johnson 768. — El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, between
Finca Piamonte and top of Montana Piamonte, along Joya Pacayal,
Steyermark 43702. — Zacapa: Cloud forest in ravine bordering Que-
brada Alejandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca
Alejandria, Steyermark 29838 (in part).
Lepanthes Turialvae Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 225. 1855. L. scopula
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 356. 1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, near Coban, May, 1908, H. von Turckheim II 1840).
Epiphytic on trees in dense or open forests, up to 3,000 meters
alt. Widespread from Mexico to Panama.
Plant erect, caespitose, up to 16 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender, mono-
phyllous, concealed by 3-6 tubular sheaths; sheaths dilated and acuminate at
the apex, varying in color from green to black, hispid along the prominent costae
and apical margin. Leaf coriaceous, suborbicular-ovate to elliptic-lanceolate,
obtuse to abruptly acuminate and tridenticulate at the apex, green to bronze-
green with the under side usually purplish red, marginate, somewhat constricted
near the apex, 2.5-7 cm. long, 0.8-3 cm. wide. Racemes 1 to 4, shorter than the
leaves, up to 4.5 cm. long including the filiform peduncles, rather densely many-
flowered. Floral bracts shorter than the pedicels, cucullate, acute to acuminate,
dorsally muricate-papillose. Flowers distichous, spreading, with the rachis closely
pressed against the surface of the leaf. Sepals united at the base, pale greenish
yellow to brownish red or pink; dorsal sepal triangular-ovate, acute to shortly
acuminate, 3-veined, 2.5-3.5 mm. long, 1.8-2.2 mm. wide near the base; lateral
sepals united to above the middle, obliquely ovate-elliptic, acute, 2-veined, 2.5-
3.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide above the point of coalescence. Petals transversely
bilobed to form right angles, deep yellow, 2.5-4.2 mm. wide, up to 1.2 mm. long;
posterior lobe falcate-lanceolate, obtuse to acute; anterior lobe shorter and narrower
than the posterior lobe, obliquely triangular to lanceolate, acute. Lip yellow-red,
concave, cordate at the base with the basal lateral auricles obtuse, forcipate-bilobed
above, with a minute puberulent apicule in the sinus, 1.2-1.5 mm. long, up to 2 mm.
wide; apical lobes triangular-falcate, obtuse to subacute. Column bright magenta
red-yellow, arcuate. Capsule yellowish green, glossy, conspicuously oblique, about
8 mm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 421. Samac, Johnson 877.
Vicinity of Laguna Sapala (Chajvovuch), one mile southwest of
Sibicte", Steyermark 44908. Along Rio Icvolay, north and northwest
of Finca Cubilgiiitz to Quebrada Diablo, Steyermark 44774.—
Chimaltenango: Santa Elena, near Tecpam, Lewis 65. — Izabal: Cerro
San Gil, along Rio Frio, Steyermark 39915. — Santa Rosa: fide
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 205
Lewis. — Zacapa: Cloud forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Ale-
jandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria,
Steyermark 29837.
24. PLEUROTHALLIS R. Br.
Small or medium-sized epiphytic herbs with caespitose or approximate
secondary stems from a creeping primary stem or rhizome, not pseudobulbous;
secondary stems unifoliate or rarely 2-(or more) leaved. Leaves mostly coriaceous,
sessile or with a petiole. Inflorescence terminal or rarely lateral, fasciculate,
racemose or sometimes a solitary flower at the apex of an elongate peduncle.
Flowers small, subtended by small inconspicuous bracts. Sepals about the same
length or nearly so, erect or spreading; dorsal sepal free or connate with the lateral
sepals for a short distance, rarely clavellate at the apex; lateral sepals slightly
connate at the base to entirely united, mostly concave or gibbous under the
column-foot. Petals shorter or narrower than the sepals, rarely as long as the
sepals, sometimes clavellate at the apex. Lip shorter or rarely a little longer than
the petals, simple or 3-lobed, generally contracted and jointed with the base of
the column, mostly unguiculate. Column equaling or shorter than the lip, winged
or wingless, produced into a foot or footless at the base; foot, when present, almost
obsolete to as long as the column; anther terminal, operculate, incumbent, 1- to
2-celled; pollinia two or four, waxy. Capsule subglobose to ellipsoid.
Pleurothallis is a large New World genus of approximately six
hundred species that are commonly found in the montane regions
of the tropics and subtropics. The genus comprises a group of species
notable for their outward dissimilarity and polymorphism. It is of
interest to note that in most of the species found in the Pleurothal-
lidinae the sepals are extremely variable, especially as to size, while
the lip and petals are remarkably constant as to morphology and
size, varying only slightly in comparison with the variation evidenced
in the sepals.
The following key is entirely artificial and is prepared solely
for identifying the species of Pleurothallis which are found in Guate-
mala. The species have been combined in each series without thought
of the affinity of the species included. Closely allied species may thus
be scattered in each of the series.
A. Sheaths of the stem dilated above (as in Lepanthes), ciliate-hispid along the
prominent nerves and marginate apex I. Series Lepanthiformes.
A. Sheaths closely appressed to the stem or, if not appressed, without prominent
nerves or a marginate hispid apex.
B. Inflorescence shorter than the subtending leaf, 1-flowered, fasciculate or
racemose II. Series Brachystachyeae.
B. Inflorescence longer than the subtending leaf (occasionally subequal),
racemose or sometimes 1-flowered at the apex of an elongate peduncle.
III. Series Elongatae.
I. Series Lepanthiformes. The species comprising this small group are charac-
terized by having lepanthoid sheaths that conceal the secondary stem. The
206 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
sheaths are dilated at the apex and are conspicuously ciliate-hispid on the
prominent nerves and margin of the ostiole. The inflorescence in our species
is racemose, either exceeding or shorter than the subtending leaf.
1. Lip distinctly 3-lobed P. crucilabia.
1. Lip not 3-lobed, of an oblong or linear type.
2. Petals obliquely triangular, shortly acuminate, entire. .P. triangulipetala.
2. Petals not triangular, obtuse or broadly rounded at the apex.
3. Petals entire; secondary stems elongate, usually bearing more than one
leaf P. Broadwayi.
3. Petals ciliate or fimbriate along the margins; secondary stems short,
bearing only one leaf.
4. Secondary stems straight; lip thin, with a callus near the base.
P. Blaisdellii.
4. Secondary stems fractiflex; lip with a bifurcate callus extending from
near the base to beyond the middle of the disk P. ciliaris.
II. Series Brachystachyeae. The plants in this series are characterized by having
a short inflorescence that is exceeded by the subtending leaf. The inflores-
cence may be a single flower, a fascicle of flowers, a solitary raceme or a
fascicle of racemes. The sheaths of the stem are not ciliate.
1. Leaves cordate; inflorescence composed of one or several flowers, fasciculate.
2. Lip 4 mm. or more long; plants large, often up to 6.5 dm. tall.
3. Lip ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate; dorsal sepal ovate to ovate-
elliptic, less than 9 mm. long P. Matudiana.
3. Lip ovate-triangular to oblong-quadrate; dorsal sepal suborbicular to
elliptic, more than 10 mm. long P. cardiothallis.
2. Lip less than 3.2 mm. long; plants mostly smaller than the preceding
species, less than 3 dm. tall.
4. Lip orbicular-ovate to subcordate-ovate P. pansamalae.
4. Lip triangular-hastate to triangular-ovate or with a blunt lobule on
each side at the base P. pansamalae var. triangulabia.
1. Leaves not cordate; inflorescence composed of a solitary flower or several
flowers in a fascicle or raceme.
5. Apex of the petals and dorsal sepal clavellate or long-caudate; usually
with the lip distinctly 3-lobed.
6. Peduncle and rachis setose-pubescent; leaves linear, less than 3.5 cm.
long P. setosa.
6. Peduncle and rachis smooth; leaves ovate, not linear, more than 3.5
cm. long.
7. Lip 5-6 mm. long; petals filiform, 6-9 mm. long. .P. xanthophthalma.
7. Lip about 10 mm. long; petals lanceolate, nearly 20 mm. long.
P. Amesiana.
5. Apex of the petals and dorsal sepal not clavellate; lip not prominently
3-lobed, at most with small lateral lobules.
8. Plants distinctly repent.
9. Leaf more than 5 cm. long P. vittata.
9. Leaf less than 5 cm. long.
10. Leaves orbicular or elliptic, when mature less than 1 cm. long,
closely appressed to the bark of trees.
1 1 . Lip oblong, with a triangular lobule on each side near the middle,
about 2.5 mm. long P. Lewisae.
11. Lip narrowly ligulate, with the margins of the basal half
strongly inrolled, about 1.5 mm. long P. comayaguensis.
10. Leaves linear-lanceolate to linear-spatulate, when mature more
than 2 cm. long, erect.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 207
12. Lip with a small lobule on each side near the base; disk ecallose
or bicallose; column with a short foot about 1 mm. long.
13. Secondary stem about 3 mm. long; leaf linear-oblanceplate;
lip ecallose P. sertularioides.
13. Secondary stem usually more than 1 cm. long; leaf lanceolate;
lip bicallose P. Carioi.
12. Lip without a tooth or lobule on each side; disk smooth or
granulose-papillose; column without a foot.
14. Petals ovate-elliptic, subacute; disk of lip granulose-papil-
lose P. repens.
14. Petals lanceolate, acuminate; disk of lip smooth.
P. minutalis.
8. Plants caespitose.
15. Lip auriculate or sagittate.
16. Lip triangular-lanceolate, without calli, with prominent denticu-
late auricles, about 6 mm. long P. angustisepala.
16. Lip sagittate, with a median callus at the base, about 4 mm. long.
P. violacea.
15. Lip neither auriculate nor sagittate.
17. Peduncle completely embraced by the lower part of the leaf.
18. Lip ovate-oblong, with a small semiorbicular lobule on each
side near the base; disk densely papillose throughout.
P. gacayana.
18. Lip ovate-oblong to oblong, with the margins thickened; disk
not papillose P. circumplexa.
17. Peduncle free from the leaf.
19. Leaves obovate to spatulate.
20. Ovary and capsule profusely echinate; lip more than 2.5 mm.
long P. tribuloides.
20. Ovary and capsule not echinate, conspicuously 3-angled; lip
less than 1.5 mm. long P. stenostachya.
19. Leaves elliptic to lanceolate.
21. Lip ovate-cordate to ovate-subquadrate, less than 2.5 mm.
long; petals linear-lanceolate.
22. Flowers numerous, glomerate; petals more than 4 mm. long.
P. ruscifolia.
22. Flowers several, fasciculate; petals less than 3 mm. long.
P. leucantha.
21. Lip ovate-oblong to oblong or oblong-elliptic, more than
3 mm. long; petals oblong-elliptic to spatulate.
23. Petals 1 mm. or less wide P. hondurensis.
23. Petals 1.5 mm. or more wide.
24. Inflorescence both terminal and lateral; pollinia two.
P. Johnsonii.
24. Inflorescence terminal only; pollinia four .P. ophiocephala.
III. Series Elongatae. The plants in this series are characterized by having an
inflorescence that exceeds the subtending leaf. The inflorescence may be
either a single flower or a many-flowered raceme. The sheaths of the stem
are not ciliate-hispid.
1. Apex of the petals and dorsal sepal clavellate P. Amesiana.
I. Apex of the petals and dorsal sepal not clavellate.
2. Lip ovate, elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, occasionally subpandurate,
entire, without auricles or distinct lobes.
208 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
3. Lip distinctly ovate to ovate-oblong, obtuse to acuminate, conspicuously
widest below the middle.
4. Lip subacute to acuminate, less than 3 mm. long; dorsal sepal ovate-
lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, less than 4.5 mm. long.
5. Lip with a callus in front of the claw; inflorescence less than 2 cm.
long; column with a short foot P. pedicellaris.
5. Lip ecallose; inflorescence up to 10.5 cm. long; column without a
foot.
6. Petals oblong-elliptic to spatulate; raceme straight. P. compacta.
6. Petals linear-lanceolate; raceme fractiflex.
P. lancilabris var. oxyglossa.
4. Lip obtuse, 3 mm. or more long; dorsal sepal linear to narrowly
lanceolate, more than 6 mm. long.
7. Entire inflorescence granulose-ciliate; petals linear-lanceolate.
P. plumosa.
7. Inflorescence not granulose-ciliate, glabrous; petals oblong-quadrate
to oblanceolate.
8. Lip verruculose P. cobanensis.
8. Lip not verruculose, with a fleshy callus near the apex.
P. platystylis.
3. Lip elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, sometimes slightly dilated at the base
or constricted below the middle.
9. Inner surface of sepals long-hirsute P. hirsuta.
9. Inner surface of sepals not hirsute.
10. Lip with a distinct constriction below the middle, more than 3 mm.
long; leaves usually about equaling or shorter than the secondary
stems, rarely twice as long.
11. Sepals narrowly lanceolate, caudate-acuminate, papillose-pubes-
cent on the inner surface; lateral sepals free almost to the base.
P. dolichopus.
11. Sepals ovate-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, glabrous on the inner
surface; lateral sepals united almost to the apex.
P. Ghiesbreghtiana.
10. Lip not constricted below the middle, 3 mm. or less long; leaves
more than twice as long as the secondary stems.
12. Lip ciliate or pubescent along the margins.
13. Lip pubescent along the margins, prominently sulcate,
thickened on each side of the groove, with a mammillate
process on each side at the base P. abjecta.
13. Lip ciliate along the apical margins, not sulcate, without
mammillate processes, somewhat angled at the base.
P. corniculata.
12. Lip not ciliate or pubescent along the margins.
14. Plant repent P. minutalis.
14. Plant caespitose.
15. Petals obovate to lanceolate; lip lightly carinate along the
lateral nerves P. Grobyi.
15. Petals linear-triangular; lip not carinate. .P. yucatanensis.
2. Lip not ovate, either obovate, panduriform, 3-lobed, auricled, hastate or
provided with conspicuous angles or teeth.
16. Peduncle and rachis setose-pubescent P. setosa.
16. Peduncle and rachis not setose-pubescent, at most glandular-pubescent.
17. Lip more than 5 mm. long, provided with a prominent auricle or
denticulate lobule on each side at the base.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 209
18. Ovary and capsule densely muricate; petals ligulate-lanceolate,
less than 2.5 mm. wide; lip with a denticulate lobule on each
side at the base P. muricata.
18. Ovary and capsule not muricate, glabrous; petals oblong-obovate,
more than 2.8 mm. long; lip auriculate at the base.
19. Inflorescence subtended by a large spathaceous sheath 2-8 cm.
long; raceme essentially straight, loosely many-flowered.
P. Tuerckheimii.
19. Inflorescence subtended by an inconspicuous spathaceous sheath
less than 1.5 cm. long; raceme often fractiflex, 1- to few-flowered.
P. pachyglossa.
17. Lip less than 4 mm. long, not conspicuously auriculate.
20. Lateral lobes of the lip large, parallel to the mid-lobe.
P. segoviensis.
20. Lateral lobes, if present, not parallel to the mid-lobe.
21. Lip triangular-sagittate or hastate.
22. Lip triangular-sagittate; leaves 10 cm. or more long.
P. immersa.
22. Lip hastate; leaves less than 5 cm. long.
23. Petals linear to narrowly lanceolate, about 0.5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals slightly united at the base P. hastata.
23. Petals oblong-spatulate, about 1 mm. wide; lateral sepals
united almost to the apex P. abbreviata.
21. Lip not triangular-sagittate or hastate.
24. Lip narrowly ligulate to lanceolate, prominently toothed or
angled on each side at the base.
25. Peduncle supporting a congested few-flowered spike, gla-
brous; lip bicarinate P. Brighamii.
25. Peduncle 1- to 2-flowered, densely glandular-puberulent;
lip ecarinate P. glandulosa.
24. Lip 3-lobed, obovate or panduriform, usually slightly con-
stricted at about the middle.
26. Petals obovate, broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex,
entire; lip broadest below the middle, 3-lobed or panduri-
form P. fuegi.
26. Petals not obovate; lip broadest above or at about the
middle, simple or lobed.
27. Lip obovate, entire; petals cuneate below, linear-caudate
above, irregularly dentate P. samacensis.
27. Lip 3-lobed; petals linear-falcate.
28. Lip 3-lobed near the apex; petals entire.
P. segregatifolia.
28. Lip 3-lobed at the base; petals laciniate. .P. Pringlei.
Pleurothallis abbreviata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 352.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, November,
1877, H. von Turckheim 10).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,350 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant very small, caespitose, glabrous except for the lip, up to 3 cm. tall.
Secondary stem almost obsolete, concealed by small scarious sheaths, monophyl-
lous. Leaf erect, obovate-spatulate, obtuse-apiculate at the apex, tapering into
210 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
the short petiole, marginate, up to 1 cm. long including the petiole, 2-3.5 mm.
wide. Raceme solitary, loosely 4-12-flowered, up to 3 cm. long including the
setiform peduncle. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, apiculate, about 1 mm. long,
about equal to the pedicellate ovaries. Flowers small, reddish purple. Dorsal
sepal oblong-cymbiform, subacute, glabrous, 3-nerved, 2.75-3 mm. long, about
1.2 mm. wide when spread out. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form
an oval bifid lamina with the apical lobules obtuse and converging; lamina about
3 mm. long and 2 mm. wide, 4-nerved, with the inside nerves dorsally carinate.
Petals oblong-spatulate, abruptly acuminate, falcate, 2.2-2.5 mm. long, about
1 mm. wide. Lip hastate, with two mammillate processes on each side of the claw
at the base, obtuse at the apex, ciliate along the margin, about 2 mm. long and
0.7 mm. wide above the middle; basal angles incurved, when spread out obtusely
rounded; disk with two large conspicuous thickened intramarginal keels extending
from the base to the apex and projecting beyond the apex so as to form an
apparently retuse apex. Column about 2 mm. long, dilated above, denticulate
at the apex, with the foot almost obsolete.
This species is characterized by having a hastate lip traversed
by two very large fleshy conspicuous keels.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnson 651.
Pleurothallis abjecta Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 17. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chama, August 5, 1920, Harry
Johnson 905). Figure 75.
Epiphytic on trees in open forests, up to 1,300 meters alt. Rare
in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plants densely caespitose, glabrous except for the lip, less than 3 cm. tall.
Secondary stem up to 5 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by scarious sheaths
that are deciduous. Leaf obovate, oblanceolate or spatulate, obtuse-apiculate
at the apex, tapering into the slender sulcate petiole, marginate, coriaceous,
erect, up to 1.8 cm. long including the petiole, 3-4 mm. wide near the apex. Raceme
solitary, few-flowered, slightly exceeding the leaves, up to 2 cm. long including
the filiform peduncle; peduncle provided with several minute fugaceous sheaths.
Floral bracts about 2 mm. long, scarious, tubular, acute. Flowers small, reddish
purple, subfasciculate. Pedicellate ovary up to 4 mm. long, the slender pedicels
about 2 mm. long and persistent. Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to
acute, elongate-cucullate, 3-nerved, 3.5-4 mm. long, about 1.2 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals coherent almost to the apex to form a triangular-ovate or elliptic lamina
with two convergent free tips that are subacute; lamina 4-nerved, 3-4 mm. long,
about 2 mm. wide. Petals triangular-lanceolate from a broad base, acuminate,
1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide near the middle. Lip entire, narrowly
linguiform or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, entire and provided with shaggy glandular
hairs at the apex, below provided with hairs of irregular length along the strongly
deflexed margins, 2.5-3 mm. long, hardly 1 mm. wide; disk sulcate to about the
middle, thickened on each side of the groove, with the thickened margin of the
groove extended below into two mammillate processes. Column produced into
a short foot, dilated above, denticulate at the apex, about 2 mm. long.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 211
This species is closely allied to Pleurothallis dbbreviata, from
which it differs in having an entire lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis Amesiana L. 0. Wms. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 8: 143. 1940.
Epiphytic in dense moist forests, up to 1,700 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant with a creeping rhizome that gives rise to numerous crowded secondary
stems, up to 20 cm. tall; roots fibrous, flexuous, glabrous, numerous. Secondary
stems up to 15 cm. long, unifoliate, entirely concealed by whitish scarious sheaths;
sheaths distichous, somewhat inflated and dorsally carinate, approximate or more
or less imbricating. Leaf with a short petiole, ovate-elliptic, tridenticulate at the
obtuse apex, rounded or somewhat cuneate at the base, fleshy-coriaceous, dorsally
carinate along the mid-nerve, up to 6.5 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. Inflorescences
usually several, 1-flowered, about equaling or surpassing the leaf; peduncle fili-
form, naked, subtended by three clasping sheaths. Flower large for the genus,
yellowish, tinged or spotted with reddish brown or purple, the pedicellate ovary
nearly concealed by a close tubular membranaceous bract. Sepals and petals with
a slight fleshy thickening at the very base. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, with an
elongate caudate tip, up to 2.7 cm. long, about 3 mm. wide near the base, dorsally
carinate, 5-nerved; cauda filiform, about 1.5 cm. long, fleshy, with a thickened
ellipsoid apex. Lateral sepals apparently free or connate into a lamina that is
oblanceolate-oblong, about 2.6 cm. long and 9 mm. wide above the middle, bi-
dentate at the subacute apex, concave at the base, 12-nerved beyond the middle.
Petals similar to the dorsal sepal but much smaller, nearly 2 cm. long, about
1.5 mm. wide near the base, 3-nerved with the lateral nerves marginal, toothed
on each side near the base with the anterior tooth rather prominent and falcate-
lanceolate. Lip lanceolate in outline, 3-lobed near the base, about 1 cm. long
including the minute claw, rounded at the base with a thickened margin, abruptly
truncate at the apex; lateral lobes very small and inconspicuous, triangular-
falcate, incurved, acuminate, setulose; mid-lobe semiorbicular at the base then
abruptly narrowed to form an elongate oblong termination of which the margins
(especially the lateral ones) are shortly and irregularly lacerate; disk 3-nerved,
with two fleshy converging keels near the margins of the suborbicular basal por-
tion, the oblong terminal part densely papillose on the inner surface. Column
slender, arcuate, clavate above, with a prominent triangular fleshy dilation at the
base.
This species is similar in habit and vegetative appearance to
P. xanthophthalma, but the flowers are very different in the two
species.
Quezaltenango: Along old road between Finca Pirineos and
Patzulin, Standley 87029. — San Marcos: Above Finca El Porvenir,
along Rio Cabus to within two miles of Cueva de las Palomas,
south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37983.—
212 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Suchitepequez : Southwestern lower slopes of Volcan Zunil, bordering
quebradas and barrancas between Finca Montecristo and Finca
Asturias, southeast of Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark 35275.
Pleurothallis angustisepala Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Lean1.
Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 74. pi. 6. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, above Tamahu, on tree, alt. 900-1,200 meters, April
5, 1939, P. C. Standley 70958). Figure 70.
Epiphytic on trees and shrubs, up to 1,200 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala.
Plant coarse, erect or ascending, glabrous, caespitose, 11-25 cm. tall. Second-
ary stem rigid, monophyllous, 2.5-11 cm. long, provided with several scarious,
somewhat inflated sheaths. Leaf sessile, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, shortly
acuminate and minutely tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, dark purple on
the lower surface, 6-13 cm. long, 1.5-3.5 cm. wide. Racemes one to several,
essentially sessile, rigid, densely few-flowered, up to 4.3 cm. long, enclosed at the
base by a scarious conduplicate sheath; sheath acuminate, up to 1.5 cm. long.
Floral bracts infundibuliform, acute-apiculate, scarious, 3-4.5 mm. long. Flowers
rather large, yellow or greenish yellow, with short pedicels; pedicels about as long
as the bracts. Sepals granulose on the inner and outer surfaces and along the
margins. Dorsal sepal narrowly linear, long-acuminate, 3-nerved, sulcate below
the middle, 1.6-1.7 cm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united almost to
the apex to form an elliptic-lanceolate lamina; lamina sharply bifid, conspicuously
gibbous at the base, 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve of each
sepal especially below the middle, 1.6-1.8 cm. long, 6.5-7.2 mm. wide at or near
the middle. Petals linear-oblanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, with the
margins irregularly long-serrate above the middle, 1-nerved, 3.5-4.5 mm. long,
about 1 mm. wide. Lip strongly arcuate at the base, with a prominent claw;
lamina triangular-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, with a prominent denticulate
auricle on each side at the base, irregularly fimbriate along the margins, 6-6.3
mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide at the base; disk 3-nerved, coarsely papillose; claw
fleshy-thickened, subquadrate, with a minute tooth on each side at the base,
1.5-2 mm. long, 1.2-1.5 mm. wide. Column rather stout, broad, irregularly crenate
at the apex, 3-4 mm. long, with a foot 3-4 mm. long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid,
about 2 cm. long.
Pleurothallis angustisepala is easily distinguished from P. Rowleei
Ames, a close ally found in Costa Rica and Panama, by its narrowly
linear dorsal sepal and differently shaped fimbriate and auriculate lip.
Alta Verapaz: Above Tamahu, on tree, Standley 70895. Growing
on under side of limbs, Tucuru, on a small shrub at about two to
three feet from the ground, November 28, 1920, Johnson 1169.
Pleurothallis Blaisdellii S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci.
23: 284. 1888 (type: Guatemala, Chocon forests, 1885, S. Watson).
Figure 71.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 213
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests and in coffee plantations, up
to 1,200 meters alt. Widespread and fairly common from Mexico
to Costa Rica.
Plant erect or spreading, caespitose, up to 15 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender,
monophyllous, up to 9 cm. long, concealed by tubular closely appressed lepanthoid
sheaths; sheaths dilated above to form an ovate-lanceolate acute lamina, hispidu-
lous along the costae and margins of the lamina. Leaf ovate-oblong to narrowly
lanceolate, broadly rounded to acute and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex,
coriaceous, marginate, 2.5-7 cm. long, 7-20 mm. wide. Racemes one or several,
fasciculate, few-flowered, enclosed at the base by the uppermost sheath of the
stem, up to 3 cm. long including the short filiform peduncle. Floral bracts ovate-
cucullate, acute, scarious, about 1 mm. long. Flowers purplish red or bronze-
green, on slender arcuate pedicels that are about 2 mm. long. Sepals more or less
ciliate along the margins especially on the lower part, 3-nerved, mostly carinate
along the mid-nerve; dorsal sepal lanceolate, acute, strongly concave at the base,
somewhat recurved above the middle, 4-7 mm. long, 1.7-2 mm. wide at the
base; lateral sepals united almost to the middle, obliquely linear-oblong to linear-
lanceolate, obtuse or subacute, fleshy-thickened, gibbous at the base, 4-7 mm. long,
1-1.5 mm. wide above the point of coalescence. Petals obliquely oblong-quadrate,
broadly rounded and irregularly fimbriate at the apex, 1-nerved, 1.5-2.2 mm.
long, 0.5-1 mm. wide. Lip arcuate below the middle in natural position, linear
or oblong-pandurate, slightly dilated at the cordate base with the minute obtuse
auricles incurved, obtuse at the apex with the margins slightly reflexed, pubescent
along the margins especially at the apex, 2.5-3 mm. long, 0.6-1.1 mm. wide;
disk 3-nerved, minutely glandulose, with a transverse callus that is prominently
thickened at the middle near the base of the lip. Column slender, dilated upward,
somewhat 3-lobed at the apex with the margins deeply and unevenly fringed, about
2 mm. long, with a foot about 1 mm. long. Capsule globose, about 6 mm. long.
This species resembles Pleurothallis ciliaris very closely but may
be distinguished, in part, from that species by its straight instead
of fractiflex stem.
Guatemala: Pacaya, Johnston 1405. The following collections
are sterile but probably represent this species: Sacatepe"quez : Wooded
quebrada just above Barranca Hondo, Standley 88942. — Santa Rosa;
Las Vinas, Heyde & Lux 6248.
Pleurothallis Brighamii S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 23: 285.
1888 (type: Guatemala, on trees in the forests of Chocon, S. Watson).
Figure 72.
Epiphytic on trees and vines, up to 350 meters alt. Widespread
but not common from Guatemala and British Honduras to Panama.
Plant small, caespitose, glabrous, less than 10 cm. tall. Secondary stem almost
obsolete, monophyllous, less than 5 mm. long, concealed by whitish scarious
sheaths. Leaves bright green, glossy, oblanceolate to elliptic-oblong, obtuse to
acute and tridenticulate at the apex, up to 8 cm. long and 1 cm. wide. Peduncle
214 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
filiform, up to 8 cm. long including the congested few-flowered spike, usually
exceeding the leaves, provided with several small inconspicuous scarious sheaths.
Floral bracts imbricated, striate, acuminate-cuspidate. Flowers small, delicate,
yellowish with reddish brown stripes or marked with green and brown. Pedicels
filiform, up to 6 mm. long. Sepals slightly united at the base, minutely papillose
along the margins; dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, acute-apiculate to shortly acumi-
nate, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the central nerve, 6-10.5 mm. long, 2.5-3.5
mm. wide; lateral sepals united to above the middle, elliptic-oblong, obtuse-
apiculate, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the central nerve, 6.5-12 mm. long,
2-3.5 mm. wide above the point of coalescence. Petals obliquely obovate or spatu-
late, subacute, 2-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip narrowly ligulate,
broadly rounded at the apex, ciliate along the apical margin, slightly canaliculate
and recurved in natural position, somewhat fleshy, with a tooth on each side at
the base and a tooth on each side just above the base, 3-nerved, 2-3 mm. long,
0.75-1 mm. wide; disk with a fleshy thickening at the base and two intramarginal
thickened keels extending from the lateral teeth to above the middle. Column
short, thick, dilated above, toothed at the apex.
Izabal: Rio Chacon, Johnson 1180. Jocolo, Rio Jocolo, Johnson
1281. Cayuga, between Bananera and Entre Rios, Lewis 179.
Bay of Santo Tomas, between Escobas and Santo Tomas, Steyer-
mark 39332. Between Virginia and Lago Izabal, Montana del
Mico, Steyermark 38824. Along Rio Frio, Cerro San Gil, Steyermark
39914.— Pet^n: San Clemente to Dos Arroyas, Bartlett 12816.
Monte Santa Teresa, Landell 2668.
Pleurothallis Broadway! Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 267. 1908.
Figure 78.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 2,400 meters alt. Widespread in the
West Indies, Mexico, and Central America from Guatemala to
Panama and Venezuela.
Plant erect or ascending, caespitose, up to 12 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender,
rigid or flexuous, 1-4-leaved, 1-7 cm. long, concealed by lepanthoid sheaths;
sheaths membranaceous, closely appressed, dilated and apiculate at the apex,
ciliate on the costae and somewhat recurved margins, about 7 mm. long. Leaves
suberect, scattered along the stem, obovate to elliptic-oblong, obtuse and retuse
at the apex, coriaceous, glabrous, conspicuously marginate, 7-19 mm. long, 3-8 mm.
wide. Peduncles terminal or lateral, filiform, exceeding the subtending leaf,
supporting a loose few-flowered raceme, 1.5-5 cm. long including the raceme.
FIG. 71. Pleurothallis Blaisdellii. Flowering plant (X 1); 1, lip, front-side
view (X 10); 2, petal (X 6); 3, lateral sepals (X 4); 4, column, side view (X 6).
P. dentipetala (not found in Guatemala; native to Costa Rica). Flowering plant
(X 1); 1, flower, with petal pulled aside, front-side view (about X 4); 2, lip, front-
side view (X 6); 3, lip, front view (X 6); 4, petal ( X 4). P. Johnsonii. Flowering
plant (X 1); 1, lip, front-side view (X 3); 2, petal (X 3); 3, lateral sepals (X 2).
Drawn by Eleonar B. Phillips.
PA ^
*et fa S. P ^«
<fe&c
c a
PLOJROTHALLIS
215
216 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Floral bracts minute, ovate-cucullate, about 1 mm. long. Flowers yellow-green,
marked with purple, with short filiform arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are about
2 mm. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate,
concave below, 1-nerved, 3-6 mm. long, 0.9-2 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique.
Petals thin, obovate to spatulate, obtuse or broadly rounded at the apex, 1-nerved,
1-2 mm. long, up to 1 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, arcuate in natural position,
when spread out rhomboid-elliptic to oblong, the lower half somewhat dilated,
obtuse, 3-nerved, thickened at the apex, 2-2.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide;
disk bicarinate, somewhat papillose above the middle. Column erect, bialate
at the apex, about 1.5 mm. long, with a short foot. Capsule obliquely ovoid, about
3 mm. long.
This species is distinctive in that it usually has more than one
leaf on the secondary stem, an uncommon character in the species
of Pleurothallis found in Guatemala.
Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley
58463.
Pleurothallis cardiothallis Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 15: 158. 1857.
P. acutipetala Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 35. 1912 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Pansamala, February, 1886, H. von
Tilrckheim 860; near Coban, November, 1907, H. von Tilrckheim
II 1997).
Epiphytic on trees in dense tropical or cloud forests, occasionally
terrestrial, up to 2,000 meters alt. Widespread from Mexico to
Costa Rica.
Plant erect, slender or somewhat stout, glabrous, caespitose, 2-6.5 dm. tall.
Secondary stem rigid, monophyllous, up to 5.5 dm. long and 6 mm. in diameter,
provided with two or more scarious fugaceous tubular sheaths. Leaf broadly
cordate-ovate to cordate-lanceolate, contracted into a long-acuminate or caudate
apex, coriaceous, spreading or held almost horizontal, 10-24 cm. long, 3-10.5 cm.
wide below the middle. Flowers ringent, fasciculate, subcoriaceous, appearing one
at a time, varying in color from deep red to greenish yellow, with slender pedicel-
late ovaries that are up to 3 cm. long, subtended by scarious tubular bracts that
are about 1 cm. long; base of inflorescence enclosed in a compressed conduplicate
scarious spathe that is up to 3.5 cm. long. Sepals somewhat united at the base,
papillose-puberulent along the margins and on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal
suborbicular to elliptic, broadly rounded to obtuse-apiculate at the apex, concave,
6-12-nerved, 10-19 mm. long, 5-14 mm. wide. Lateral sepals entirely united into
FIG. 72. I. Pleurothallis verecunda (not found in Guatemala; native of
Costa Rica and Panama). Flowering plant (X 1); 1, flower (X 6); 2, lip and
column, side view (X 5); 3, lip, front-side view (X 7); 4, petal (X 6). II. P.
Brighamii. Flowering plant (X 1); flower, partly spread open (X 3). III. P.
Grobyi. Flowering plant (X 1); flower, spread out (X 4). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
217
218 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
a suborbicular to broadly elliptic lamina; lamina broadly rounded to subacute at
the apex, concave, 6-12-nerved, 9.5-19 mm. long, 6.5-16 mm. wide. Petals lanceo-
late to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, falcate, 3-nerved, often subauriculate at the
base of the anterior margin. Lip with a short claw, fleshy-thickened, ovate-tri-
angular, ovate-quadrate or obliquely oblong-quadrate, obtuse-apiculate to shortly
acuminate, ciliate above along the apical margin, 3-nerved, somewhat auriculate
on each side at the base, 4-10 mm. long, 3-6 mm. wide at the base; disk with a
shallowly concave depression at the base. Column short, thick, fleshy, up to 3 mm.
long. Capsule cylindrical, slightly oblique, prominently 6-ribbed, 3-5 cm. long.
Although the flowers of this species vary considerably in size,
there seems to be little difference in their morphology.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 3811. Road Chama to Coban,
Johnson 505; 507. Near Coban, Johnson 934. Finca Mocca,
Johnson 78. Mountains east of Tactic, on road to Tamahu, Standley
71281. Tactic, Johnston 1827. Large swamp just east of Tactic,
Steyermark 43963. Wet forest near Tactic, above the bridge across
Rio Frio, Standley 90485. — Chiquimula: Cerro Tixixi (Tishishi),
3-5 miles north of Jocotan, Steyermark 31564. — Huehuetenango :
Cerro Negro, two miles east of Las Palmas, Sierra de los Cuchuma-
tanes, Steyermark 51675.
Pleurothallis Carioi Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 205. 1918
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Suchitepequez, Chilion near Mazatenango,
August, 1866, Bernoulli & Cario 496).
Epiphytic in dense tropical forests, up to 1,000 meters alt.
Uncommon in Mexico, British Honduras, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant small, glabrous, creeping and closely appressed to the bark of trees;
rhizomes provided with scarious sheaths. Secondary stems ascending, monophyl-
lous, 1-1.5 cm. apart, up to 5 cm. long, with two tubular scarious sheaths near
the base. Leaf elliptic-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate and obliquely
tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, with the margins somewhat revolute,
2-4.3 cm. long, 4-9 mm. wide. Peduncles several, fasciculate, 1-flowered, 4-6 mm.
long, enclosed by a compressed spathe 3-4 mm. long. Floral bracts ovate-cucul-
late, acute, about 2 mm. long. Flowers pale green with purple stripes. Dorsal
sepal oblong-elliptic or ligulate, obtuse to subacute, 3-nerved, 4-4.5 mm. long,
about 1.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united to form a suborbicular-ovate lamina;
lamina subacute and bidentate at the apex, concave-cucullate below the middle,
several-nerved, 4-4.5 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Petals obliquely ligulate,
obtuse to acute, somewhat dilated about the middle, ciliate along the apical
margins, 1-nerved, 2-2.5 mm. long, about 0.8 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw,
arcuate below the middle in natural position, when spread out subhastate-elliptic,
obtuse, with a small lobule on each side near the base, ciliate-denticulate along the
apical margins, 2-3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; disk with a fleshy callus on each
side in front of the lateral lobules, papillose above the middle. Column semi terete,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 219
denticulate at the apex, about 2 mm. long with a foot about 1 mm. long. Capsule
obliquely ellipsoid, prominently 3-angled, about 1 cm. long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis ciliaris (Lindl.) L. 0. Wms. Caldasia no. 5: 14.
1942. Specklinia ciliaris Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 31. 1839.
Epiphytic on shrubs and trees in dense damp forests and coffee
plantations, up to 1,300 meters alt. Widespread in Mexico, Guate-
mala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant ascending or spreading, caespitose, 5-14 cm. tall. Secondary stem
slender, fractiflex, monophyllous, 3-8.5 cm. long, concealed by lepanthoid sheaths;
sheaths closely appressed, with a conspicuous free portion that is ovate to ovate-
lanceolate and up to 10 mm. long, ciliate along the costae and apical margins.
Leaf oblong-elliptic, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to acute and
minutely tridenticulate at the apex, glabrous, coriaceous, purplish green, 2-6.5
cm. long, 3.5-13 mm. wide. Peduncles several, fasciculate, filiform, bearing few-
flowered racemes, up to 2.5 cm. long including the raceme, enclosed at the base
by the uppermost stem sheath. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, apiculate, purplish-
tinged, mostly less than 1 mm. long. Flowers purplish red or yellowish green,
with filiform arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are about 2 mm. long. Dorsal sepal
oblong-elliptic, subacute, cymbiform, 3-nerved, ciliate along the margins, 3-4 mm.
long, 1.2-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united into a suborbicular-oblong lamina
that separates easily; lamina often retuse, 6-nerved, gibbous at the base, recurved
above the middle with the ciliate margins upturned, about 3.5 mm. long and
2-3 mm. wide. Petals cuneate to oblong-quadrate, rounded at the apex, irregularly
denticulate-ciliate on the apical margins, 1-1.3 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide.
Lip arcuate-decurved in natural position, with a small mammillate auricle on each
side at the base, when spread out broadly oblong-spatulate, broadly rounded at the
apex, 3-nerved, ciliate along the margins, 1.5-2 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide; disk
with a linear callus extending from the base to about one-third the length of the
lip where it forks. Column slender, recurved, 1.5-2 mm. long, toothed at the apex,
with a foot about 1 mm. long. Capsule obliquely ovoid, 5-6 mm. long.
Izabal: Vicinity of Quirigua, Standley 23901. Los Andes District,
Lewis 42. — Pete"n : La Libertad, Lundell 3893. Sabana San Francisco,
La Libertad, Lundell 2138.
Pleurothallis circumplexa Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 24.
1838.
Epiphytic on trees in forests and on cliffs, up to 3,000 meters
alt. Common in Mexico, less common from Guatemala to Costa
Rica.
Plant erect, slender, caespitose, glabrous except for the flowers, 10-35 cm. tall.
Secondary stem 3-winged, monophyllous, 4.5-24 cm. long. Leaf tapering into
and continuous with the secondary stem, broadly ovate, elliptic-oblong or lanceo-
late, obtuse to subacute and retuse at the apex, with an apicule in the sinus, often
220 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
oblique, pinnately veined below, dorsally keeled along the mid-vein, 6-14 cm.
long, 2-5 cm. wide. Peduncle united its entire length with the leaf, up to 4 cm.
long; raceme one or several, fasciculate, few-flowered, up to 2.5 cm. long, subtended
by spathaceous acuminate sheaths that are 6-11 mm. long. Floral bracts ovate
to ovate-lanceolate, cucullate, acute or shortly acuminate, silver-spotted, scarious,
3-4 mm. long. Flowers distichous, reddish brown or brownish yellow, with
slender puberulent pedicellate ovaries that are about 3 mm. long. Sepals densely
puberulent on the outer surface. Dorsal sepal oblong-obovate, broadly rounded
at the apex, 3-nerved, canaliculate below, 3.5-5.5 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide
above the middle. Lateral sepals united their entire length or nearly so, forming
a suborbicular-elliptic lamina; lamina entire or retuse at the apex, concave,
6-nerved, 3.5-4 mm. long, 3.5-3.8 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear to lanceolate,
obtuse to acute, irregularly serrulate along the upper margins, conspicuously
1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide. Lip fleshy-thickened, ovate-oblong to
oblong, obtuse to broadly rounded at the apex, canaliculate with the margins
thickened, usually irregularly crenulate along the apical margin, 2.5-3 mm. long,
1-2 mm. wide; disk with three rather prominent nerves that are thickened at their
tips, often dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, with a linear callus on each side
below the middle. Column broadly winged above, with the margins of the wings
irregularly serrate, about 2.5 mm. long. Capsule obliquely cylindrical, 2-3 cm.
long.
This species is unique in that the peduncle is completely embraced
by the lower part of the leaf so as to cause the flowers to appear
epiphyllous.
Alta Verapaz: Near the Sepacuite, Cook & Griggs 456. Coban,
Turckheim II 1836; II 1663. Coban, Johnson 728.— Guatemala:
Road to El Salvador, about four miles from Guatemala City, Lewis 72.
— Quezaltenango: Near and above Volcan Santa Maria, Santa Maria
de Jesus, Steyermark 33922. — Santa Rosa: Chiapas, Heyde & LMX
6240. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, slopes of Monte Virgen, around
summit of mountain, Steyermark 42608.
Pleurothallis cobanensis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 11: 42.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, October,
1885, H. von Turckheim 798).
Epiphytic in woods, up to 1,350 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala
and Costa Rica.
Plant erect, slender, glabrous, 15-30 cm. tall. Secondary stem terete, mono-
phyllous, 4-9 cm. long, provided with two or three loose scarious sheaths. Leaf
erect, elliptic-oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse and incised at the apex,
coriaceous, tapering at the base into the short sulcate petiole, 4.5-9.5 cm. long,
1.5-2.6 cm. wide. Raceme solitary, slender, loosely many-flowered, up to 25 cm.
long including the peduncle; peduncle provided with several scarious appressed
tubular bracts, subtended by a spathaceous sheath that is up to 2.5 cm. long.
Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, obtuse or acute, 4-6 mm. long. Flowers erect-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 221
spreading, apparently purplish, with slender pedicels that are up to 6 mm. long.
Dorsal sepal lanceolate, shortly acuminate, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the
mid-nerve, 7-8.5 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide below the middle. Lateral sepals
united almost to the apex to form a bifid lamina; lamina oblong-elliptic, 6-nerved,
conspicuously carinate along the central nerve of each sepal with the carinae ex-
tending beyond the apex to form boat-shaped tips, 7.5-9 mm. long, about 4 mm.
wide, with the free part shortly acuminate. Petals oblong-obovate or oblong-
quadrate, somewhat oblique, broadly rounded at the apex, conspicuously 3-nerved
with the nerves thickened above, denticulate along the apical margins, verruculose
above the middle on the outer surface, 3.2-4 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lip
arcuate-recurved and dilated at the base, in natural position with the dilated
lateral margins erect, 3-nerved with the nerves dorsally carinate; when spread
out ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, dilated below the middle, 3.5-4.2 mm. long, 1.8-2.5
mm. wide across the lateral lobules; disk longitudinally thickened along the
median line with the ridge verruculose, roughly verruculose above the middle
and along the apical margins. Column short, thick, 3-3.5 mm. long, 3-lobed at
the apex, with a foot that is about 1 mm. long.
Pleurothallis cobanensis is closely allied to P. platystylis but differs
from that species mainly in that the lip is verruculose instead of
being glabrous.
This species is represented from Guatemala only by the type
collection.
Pleurothallis comayaguensis Ames, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 4: 31. fig. p. 33. 1936. Figure 73.
Epiphytic on trees in dense damp forests, up to 1,200 meters alt.
Rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant creeping and closely appressed to the bark of trees. Secondary stems
almost obsolete, from a creeping rhizome about 3 mm. apart, rigid, monophyllous,
up to 1 mm. long. Leaf elliptic or lenticular, fleshy, conspicuously marginate,
up to 6 mm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Peduncles borne singly in the axils of the leaves,
glabrous, up to 6 mm. long, with a tubular bract at the base, supporting about
4 small red flowers that open in succession. Floral bracts tubular-cucullate,
acute, about 2 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong, obtuse, strongly concave, smooth,
3-nerved, about 2 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals coherent almost
to the apex to form an orbicular lamina; lamina strongly concave at the base,
smooth, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Petals lanceolate, obtuse, 1-nerved,
with several elongate glandular hairs on the margins, about 2 mm. long, hardly
1 mm. wide. Lip narrowly ligulate, obtuse at the apex, about 1.5 mm. long and
0.5 mm. wide, with the margins of the basal half strongly inrolled, sometimes
almost contiguous over the lower half of the disk; margins of the apical half
deflexed, rather closely beset with elongated glandular hairs, shortly glandulose
at the tip and on the depressed or canaliculate central portion of the glandulose
disk, auriculate on each side at the base, with the auricles rounded and curved
inward. Column dilated upward from a slender base, about 2 mm. long, cucullate
at the apex with the margins of the clinandrium irregularly fringed.
PLELUROTHALLIS
comayaQuensLS .^
7 o
mes
FIG. 73. Pleurothallis comayaguensis. 1, part of plant (X 2); 2, 3, and 4,
flowers ( X 10) ; 5, lip, from above ( X 15) ; 6, column, with anther removed (X 15) ;
7, anther (much enlarged); 8, pollinia (much enlarged); 9, petal (X 15). Drawn
by Blanche Ames.
222
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 223
Vegetatively, this species bears a strong resemblance to Pleuro-
thallis Lewisae, but differs from it markedly in the structure of the
flower. The structure of the lip and column resembles P. abjecta.
Pete"n: La Libertad, Lundell 2235. Sabana San Francisco, La
Libertad, Lundell 2140.
Pleurothallis compacta (Ames) Ames & C. Schweinf. Sched.
Orch. 10: 24. 1930. Stelis compacta Ames, Orch., Fasc. Ill: 76, t. 53.
1908 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, May, 1901,
H. von Turckheim 7991). Platy stele compacta Ames, Proc. Biol.
Soc. Wash. 35: 85. 1922.
Epiphytic on trees in dense or open forests, up to 2,400 meters
alt. Fairly common in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant erect, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 10 cm. tall. Secondary stem
nearly obsolete, less than 5 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by whitish scarious
sheaths. Leaf linear-oblanceolate, obtuse and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex,
coriaceous, 1-5.5 cm. long, 1.5-3.5 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, filiform, exceed-
ing the leaf, provided with several short scarious sheaths, up to 10.5 cm. long in-
cluding the raceme; raceme cylindrical, compact, densely many-flowered. Floral
bracts ovate-cucullate, acuminate, apiculate, scarious, dorsally carinate, 1.5-2.2
mm. long. Flowers green-yellow, usually purple-spotted, with slender persistent
pedicels 2-3 mm. long. Sepals dorsally carinate along the solitary nerve; dorsal
sepal oblong-elliptic, subacute, 1-3 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals free
almost to the base, obliquely oblong-elliptic to suborbicular-obovate, broadly
rounded at the apex, 1-2.6 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely oblong-
elliptic to oblanceolate-spatulate, broadly rounded at the apex, dorsally carinate
along the solitary nerve, 1-3 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip ovate-cordate to
suborbicular-ovate, acute or shortly acuminate, fleshy, 1-1.5 mm. long, about
1 mm. wide. Column erect, thick, footless. Capsule obliquely globose, 2-3 mm.
long.
This species superficially resembles some of the species of Stelis
found in Guatemala. However, the long, thin petals as well as other
floral characters immediately distinguish it from Stelis. It is closely
related to P. lancilabris and P. lancilabris var. oxyglossa.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis corniculata (Sw.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 28: Misc.
83. 1842. Epidendrum corniculatum Sw. Prodr. 123. 1788. P.
jocolensis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 19. 1923 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Izabal, Jocolo, Rio Perdonalis, December 25, 1920, Harry Johnson
1048).
Epiphytic on trees and vines in dense forests or jungles, up to
750 meters alt. Widespread, but not very common in the West
224 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Indies, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and British
Guiana.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 5 cm. tall. Secondary stem
often almost obsolete, monophyllous, up to 8 mm. long, concealed by several
brownish tubular scarious sheaths. Leaf with a short sulcate petiole, obovate to
oblong-elliptic, obtuse and minutely tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, margi-
nate, 1.3-4 cm. long including the petiole, 4-8 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, fili-
form, 1-flowered, 2-4.5 cm. long, provided with a minute scarious bract near the
middle. Floral bract tubular, dilated upward, scarious, 2-2.5 mm. long. Flowers
light green or yellow, with filiform arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are up to 9 mm.
long. Dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, narrowly obtuse to
acute at the apex, canaliculate, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve,
5-6.5 mm. long, 1.7-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to
form a narrowly triangular-lanceolate lamina; lamina subobtuse and bidentate
at the apex, 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve of each sepal, 5-6 mm.
long, 1.75-2.5 mm. wide near the base. Petals obliquely obovate to elliptic-
lanceolate, the anterior margin conspicuously dilated above, shortly acuminate
at the minutely ciliate thickened apex, mostly 2-nerved, dorsally carinate along
the central nerve with the keel extending as a posterior apicule, 2.2-2.5 mm.
long, 1-1.2 mm. wide. Lip arcuate in natural position, canaliculate with the
basal somewhat dilated margins upturned, when spread out oblong-ligulate, obtuse
and minutely papillose-ciliate at the apex, 3-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm.
wide. Column short and fleshy, 3-toothed at the summit, 1.5-2 mm. long, with
a foot that is about 1 mm. long.
This species is closely related to P. Brighamii, from which it
differs in having smaller flowers, which are more delicate in texture,
and in having the lateral sepals coherent nearly to the apex.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection of P.
jocolensis.
Pleurothallis crucilabia Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 76. pi. 7. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Guatemala, Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, alt. 1,800-2,400
meters, November 30, 1938, P. C. Standley 58433). Figure 74.
Epiphytic on trees. Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant small, erect or ascending, caespitose, up to 7.5 cm. tall. Secondary
stem slender, monophyllous, 2-3.5 cm. long, concealed by lepanthiform sheaths;
sheaths tubular, acuminate-apiculate at the slightly dilated apex, sparingly hispid
along the costae and on the apical margin. Leaf linear-oblong, acute, coriaceous,
marginate, glabrous, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, about 5 mm. wide. Peduncles usually
two, slender, up to 4 cm. long including the loosely few-flowered raceme. Floral
bracts infundibuliform, acute-apiculate, scarious, 1.5-2 mm. long. Flowers pale
yellow, glabrous, strongly arcuate, with slender persistent conspicuously arcuate
pedicels that are about 3 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, acute, deeply
cymbiform, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the nerves, 4.5-5.3 mm. long,
2.5-3 mm. wide below the middle. Lateral sepals united to about the middle,
F? trio.-ngu.£ioe
FIG. 74. Pleurothallis crucilabia. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, side view (X 5);
3, lip, side view from above (X 10); 4, lip, spread out (X 10); 5, petal (X 10).
P. triangulipetala. 6, plant (X 1); 7, flower, side view (X 10); 8, lip, from above
(X 10); 9, lip, side view (X 10); 10, petal (X 10). Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
225
226 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
gibbous at the base, obliquely triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, decurved, dorsally
prominently carinate along the solitary nerve, 4-5 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide
across the united basal portion. Petals obliquely oblong, broadly rounded at the
apex, 1-nerved, 2-2.5 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, arcuate
in natural position, hastately 3-lobed when spread out, 3-nerved with the nerves
extending slightly above the middle of the lip, 3-3.2 mm. long including the
claw, 1.8-2.2 mm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes broadly rounded,
slightly thickened on the apical margins; mid-lobe oblong-quadrate, subtruncate
at the apex, about 1 mm. wide. Column short, stout, fleshy, tridentate at the
apex, 2 mm. long, with a foot about 1 mm. long. Capsule obliquely globose, about
4 mm. long.
This species is unique among Guatemalan species of Pleurothallis
in that it has a subequally three-lobed lip. There seems to be no
closely allied species in Central America. The Jamaican P. trilobata
Fawc. & Rendle has a similarly shaped lip. However, that species
is a minute plant less than 1 cm. tall and the lip is only about one-
half as long as that of P. crucilabia.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis dolichopus Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 394.
1912 (type: Guatemala, in mountains between Coban and Tactic,
December, 1907, H. von Tilrckheim II 2072). P. lamprophylla
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 205. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Quezaltenango, between Palohueci and Xuilpach, April, 1878,
Bernoulli & Cario 582).
Epiphytic on trees in forests and open country, occasionally
terrestrial, up to 3,000 meters alt. Rather common from Mexico
to Costa Rica.
Plant erect, slender, caespitose, glabrous except for the flowers, 15-40 cm.
tall. Secondary stem terete, monophyllous, up to 20 cm. long, provided with
two or three tubular scarious closely appressed sheaths that are up to 7 cm. long.
Leaf erect, oblong to oblong-elliptic, broadly rounded or obtuse and minutely retuse
at the apex, with a small cusp in the sinus, tapering into the short sulcate petiole,
coriaceous, 6.5-14 cm. long including the petiole, 1.5-3.8 cm. wide. Racemes
several, fasciculate in the axil of the leaf, erect, rather densely many-flowered,
with all the flowers open at the same time, usually longer than the leaf, up to
20 cm. long including the short peduncle, with several short scarious imbricating
spathaceous sheaths at the base. Floral bracts tubular-cucullate, apiculate,
3-5 mm. long. Flowers suberect-spreading, with slender arcuate pedicels that are
5-9 mm. long. Sepals pale yellow or greenish yellow, narrowly lanceolate, caudate-
acuminate, often strongly revolute at the apex, 3-nerved, glabrous on the outer
surface, papillose-puberulent on the inner surface, 8-21 mm. long, 1.7-2.2 mm.
wide near the base; lateral sepals somewhat falcate. Petals translucent, obliquely
oblong to oblanceolate, broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex, glabrous, dorsally
carinate along the solitary central nerve, 3-4.8 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Lip
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 227
reddish brown, with three purple striae at the base, in natural position arcuate-
recurved, oblong to somewhat oblong-spatulate, obtuse, somewhat constricted
below the middle, crenulate-dentate along the apical margin, the lower half much
thickened, conspicuously 3-nerved with the nerves dorsally carinate, 3-5 mm.
long, 1-2.2 mm. wide above the middle; disk canaliculate, with a conspicuous
keel along each lateral nerve and a light keel along the mid-nerve, the keels con-
verging near the apex of the lip, the lateral keels often erect thickened wings below
the middle. Column slender, glabrous, lacerate at the apex, 2.5-3 mm. long,
with a foot that is about 1.5 mm. long.
Chimaltenango: Chichavac, Skutch 463. — El Progreso: Sierra de
las Minas, hills between Finca Piamonte and slopes southeast of
Finca Piamonte, Steyermark 43438. Sierra de las Minas, hills north
of Finca Piamonte, between Finca Piamonte and summit of Volcan
Santa Luisa, Steyermark 43479. — Huehuetenango: Above San Juan
Ixcoy, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49989. Salama,
Skutch 1055. — San Marcos: Barranca Eminencia, above San Rafael
Pie de la Cuesta, Standley 68654 [?sterile]. — Suchitepequez: Volcan
Santa Clara, between Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyer-
mark 46649. Near Concepcion de las Minas, Lewis 120. Volcan
Atitlan, Hatch & Wilson 369.
Pleurothallis fuegi Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 97. t.
10. 1866 (type: Guatemala, Volcan de Fuego, January 20, 1857,
Wendland).
Epiphytic on trees in dense wet mountain forests, up to 2,700
meters alt. Uncommon in Guatemala, Honduras and Panama.
Plant erect, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 6 cm. tall. Secondary stem
almost obsolete, up to 5 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by short scarious
tubular sheaths. Leaf obovate to oblanceolate, obtuse and tridenticulate at the
apex, conspicuously marginate, subcoriaceous, 1.2-2 cm. long including the slender
sulcate petiole, 2.5-6 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, filiform, supporting a lax
few-flowered raceme, up to 4.5 cm. long including the raceme, provided with
several minute bracts. Floral bracts tubular-cucullate, apiculate, 1-2 mm. long.
Flowers minute, pale bronze-green or whitish green, marked with purple, with
slender pedicels that are about 2 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic to narrowly
lanceolate, extended into a long cauda, concave, dorsally carinate along the
three nerves, 4.5-9 mm. long from the base to the tip of the cauda, 1.8-2.5 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals united for 2-3 mm. at the base, obliquely lanceolate, extended
into long caudae, dorsally carinate along the one nerve, 4-8 mm. long, about
2 mm. wide above the point of coalescence. Petals obliquely obovate, obtuse
to broadly rounded at the apex, 1-nerved, 1.25-3 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide.
Lip somewhat 3-lobed, arcuate-decurved, 3-nerved, 2.2-4 mm. long, including
the short claw, 1-1.5 mm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes semiorbicular
or obtusely angled, erect in natural position; apical lobe oblong to oblong-elliptic,
obtuse, somewhat convex. Column short, 1.2-1.8 mm. long, with a foot about
1.5 mm. long.
228 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This species is similar to P. samacensis in habit but is dis-
tinguished from that species by dissimilar floral characters.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1966. Coban, Muenscher
12041. Mountains east of Tactic, on road to Tamahu, Standley
71170. Mountains along road between Tactic and the divide on
road to Tamahu, Standley 91459. Tactic, Johnston 1863. — Chimal-
tenango: Calderas, Johnston 1473. — Chiquimula: Volcan Quezal-
tepeque, 3-4 miles northeast of Quezaltepeque, Steyermark 31498.—
Quezaltenango: Densely forested damp white sand quebrada, El
Pocito, south of San Martin Chile Verde, on road to Colomba,
Standley 84942.— San Marcos: Along road above Barranca Emi-
nencia, Standley 68521. — Suchitepequez: Volcan Santa Clara, be-
tween Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark 46713.—
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, cloud forest in ravine bordering Que-
brada Alejandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca
Alejandria, Steyermark 29838.
Pleurothallis gacayana Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 21: 335.
1925 (type: Guatemala, Amatitlan, Forets de Las Cachiflanas,
Volcan de Gacaya, April, 1921, Tonduz 413).
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 1,200 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant erect, short, caespitose, glabrous, 9-11 cm. tall. Secondary stem 3-
winged, monophyllous, 3-8 cm. long, provided with two loose tubular scarious
sheaths. Leaf erect to suberect, sessile, decurrent on the stem, oblong-elliptic,
obtuse-retuse at the apex, fleshy-coriaceous, 5-7 cm. long, 1.5-2.2 cm. wide.
Racemes 1-2, at the summit of the stem near the middle or on the lower part of
the leaf, very short, compactly few-flowered, distichous, up to 1 cm. long, lower
part enveloped by a conduplicate acuminate spathe that is up to 1.1 cm. long.
Floral bracts erect-spreading, imbricated, ovate-lanceolate, acute, concave.
Flowers yellow, fleshy. Dorsal sepal oblong-spatulate, broadly rounded or obtuse
at the apex, sparingly ciliolate along the margins, somewhat papillose-puberulent
on the outer surface, 3-nerved, canaliculate, 5.2-6.2 mm. long, 2.1-2.5 mm. wide.
Lateral sepals united to form a broadly ovate or oval lamina; lamina bifid or
broadly rounded at the apex, ciliolate along the margins, somewhat papillose-
puberulent on the outer surface, 6-nerved, 4.5-5 mm. long, 4-4.8 mm. wide.
Petals oblong-lanceolate, acute, irregularly serrulate along the margins, glabrous,
conspicuously 1-nerved, 2-3.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip with a short
claw, the sides of the basal half incurved in natural position; lamina when expanded
ovate-oblong, 2.5-4 mm. long including the claw, about 2.2 mm. wide near the
base, provided with an indistinct very small semiorbicular lobule on each side
near the base, margins finely and irregularly erose; disk densely papillose through-
out, with a pair of indistinct thickened keels near the middle on each side. Column
slender, more or less arcuate, bialate at the apex, with the wings denticulate at
the summit.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 229
This species closely resembles P. circumplexa in habit, but differs
from that species mainly in the floral characters.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis Ghiesbreghtiana A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci.
Nat. se>. 3, 3: 16. 1845. P. incompta Reichb. f. Bonpl. 2: 24. 1854.
P. longissima Lindl. Fol. Orch. (Pleurothallis) 31. 1859.
Epiphytic on trees in open pine-oak forest and dense forests,
up to 1,500 meters alt. Common in the West Indies and Mexico
to Panama.
Plant erect, slender, caespitose, glabrous, 12-60 cm. tall. Secondary stem
terete, monophyllous, 4-18 cm. long, provided with several scarious fugaceous
sheaths. Leaf oblong-elliptic, linear or oblanceolate, retuse and obtuse at the
apex, usually marginate, up to 17 cm. long, 1-3 mm. wide. Raceme solitary,
slender, loosely many-flowered, up to 45 cm. long including the peduncle; peduncle
provided with several scarious tubular bracts that are about 3 mm. long, with a
complanate acuminate sheath at the base that is 1-2.5 cm. long. Floral bracts
ovate-cucullate, apiculate, scarious, about 3 mm. long. Flowers ringent-nodding,
translucent, yellow or greenish yellow, with slender arcuate pedicels that are
about 1 cm. long. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, subobtuse to
shortly acuminate and recurved at the apex, deeply concave, 3-nerved, 6-12 mm.
long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united their entire length or nearly so to
form an elliptic or elliptic-suborbicular bidentate lamina; lamina longitudinally
concave, 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the central nerve of each sepal, 5-11.5
mm. long, 3.5-5.5 mm. wide. Petals with a short narrow claw, obliquely oblong-
lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, obtuse-apiculate to subacute at the apex,
1-3-nerved with the lateral nerves usually joining the central nerve above, 5-11
mm. long including the claw, 1.7-4 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, in natural
position arcuate-decurved, canaliculate below with the margins of the lower half
erect; when spread out oblong-pandurate, slightly constricted below the middle,
broadly rounded at the apex, with the margins often irregularly crenulate, 3-nerved,
3.5-6.2 mm. long, 2-3.2 mm. wide, conspicuously constricted below the middle;
portion below the constriction fleshy-thickened, orbicular-ovate to obcordate;
portion above the constriction thin, flat, suborbicular to oblong-quadrate. Column
short, irregularly toothed at the apex, 2-4 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, slender,
about 1.5 cm. long.
Some plants of this species have cleistogamous flowers for which
the name P. Ghiesbreghtiana var. cleistogama L. 0. Wms. has been
proposed . According to Hayes the species ' 'has a delicious fragrance . ' '
Amatitlan: Pacaya, Johnston 1406. — Baja Verapaz: North of
Santa Rosa, Standley 69871. Near Panajache", Lewis 156. — Escuintla:
Along Rio Guacalate, Standley 58281. — Sacatepe*quez : Near Las
Lajas, Standley 58300. — Suchitepequez : Southern lower slopes of
Volcan Zunil, vicinity of Finca Alvidas, east of Pueblo Nuevo,
230 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Steyermark 35450.— "Guatemala" : Skinner.— "On trees, Nov. 1860,"
Hayes.
Pleurothallis glandulosa Ames, Sched. Orch. 6: 60 (No-
vember 3), 1923. P. vittariaefolia Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 19:
26, 198 (November 25), 1923.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Widespread
but not common from Mexico to Panama.
Plant small, densely caespitose, 2-5 cm. tall. Secondary stem almost obsolete,
monophyllous, up to 5 mm. long, concealed by a short white scarious sheath.
Leaf erect, linear-subfiliform to narrowly linear-oblanceolate, obtuse and obliquely
tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, glabrous, 2-4 cm. long, 1-3 mm. wide.
Peduncle 1-2-flowered, filiform, copiously glandular-puberulent, 1.5-4.5 cm. long,
with a closely appressed scarious tubular sheath near the middle. Floral bract
tubular, scarious, apiculate, 2.5-3.5 mm. long, minutely papillose on the outer
surface. Flowers greenish yellow or reddish yellow, with filiform puberulent
pedicellate ovaries that are up to 8 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic to narrowly
lanceolate, subobtuse to acute, concave, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the
nerves with the carinae and margins glandular-papillose, 4.2-8 mm. long, 1.5-2.6
mm. wide. Lateral sepals united to about the middle, oblong-lanceolate to linear-
lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the nerves with the carinae
and margins glandular-papillose, 4.2-8 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide above the point
of coalescence. Petals obliquely obovate, dilated above on the anterior margin,
contracted into the acute-mucronate tip, 2-nerved, glabrous, 1.7-3.1 mm. long,
1.1-2 mm. wide near the apex. Lip with a short claw, conspicuously arcuate in
natural position, lanceolate to linear-oblong with a cordate or somewhat sagittate
base, the basal lateral teeth suberect, broadly rounded or obtuse at the con-
spicuously ciliate apex, 3-nerved, 2-4 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide; disk fleshy-
thickened below the lateral teeth, somewhat glandular. Column slender, 2-3 mm.
long, 3-toothed at the apex, with broad wings on the anterior margins. Capsule
obliquely obovoid, about 6 mm. long.
Guatemala: Presa Forest, Finca Moca, south slope, Volcan
Atitlan, Hatch & Wilson 344.
Pleurothallis Grobyi Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 21: t. 1797.
1835. P. marginata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 42. 1838 (type:
Guatemala, Skinner}. P. choconiana S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 23:
285. 1888 (type: Guatemala, in the Chocon forests and at the ruins
of Quirigua, March and April, 1885, S. Watson). Figure 72.
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests, up to 1,500 meters alt. Wide-
spread in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern
South America.
Plant erect or spreading, densely caespitose, glabrous, 3-15.5 cm. tall. Second-
ary stem almost obsolete, monophyllous, less than 6 mm. long, concealed by a
white scarious sheath. Leaf obovate, elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate, broadly
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 231
rounded or obtuse and retuse at the apex, with a cusp in the sinus, coriaceous,
conspicuously marginate, usually purplish on the lower surface, with a short
sulcate petiole, up to 7 cm. long including the petiole, 3.5-11 mm. wide. Raceme
solitary, loosely few-flowered, somewhat fractiflex, 2.5-15 cm. long including the
long filiform reddish peduncle. Floral bracts minute, tubular-cucullate, apiculate,
scarious, 1-2 mm. long. Flowers greenish white, yellow, marked with reddish
purple, ringent, with filiform pedicels that are 3-5 mm. long. Dorsal sepal ovate-
oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, concave, 3-nerved, 3.2-10 mm. long,
1.5-3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united to form an ovate-elliptic to lanceolate
bidentate lamina; lamina 4-nerved, concave, 3.1-11.5 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide.
Petals obliquely obovate to lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 1-nerved, 1.1-2.5 mm.
long, 0.5-0.8 mm. wide. Lip linear-ligulate to oblong, broadly rounded to obtuse
at the apex, canaliculate, 3-nerved, 1.7-3 mm. long, 0.4-1.1 mm. wide; disk lightly
carinate along the lateral nerves. Column somewhat winged on each side on the
anterior margins, tridentate at the apex, 1.2-3 mm. long.
Although the flowers of this species vary greatly in size, the floral
segments are morphologically constant.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 7673. Vicinity of Laguna
Sapala (Chajvovuch), one mile southwest of Sibicte", Steyermark
44909. Chama, Johnson 971. — Chiquimula: Montana Castilla,
vicinity of Montana Cebollas, along Rio Lucia Saso, three miles
southeast of Quezaltepeque, Steyermark 31306. — Escuintla: Escuintla,
Smith 2253. Near Escuintla, Hunnewell 14676. — Izabal: Vicinity
of Quirigua, Standley 23902; 24197 (in part). Rio Dulce, between
Livingston and six miles up river, on north side (right side going
up river), Steyermark 39430. Along Rio Bonita, Cerro San Gil,
Steyermark 41692. — Pete"n: La Libertad, Lundell 2339. Along Rio
Santa Monica, between Cedral and Ceibal, Steyermark 46052. Forest
between Finca Yalpemech along Rio San Diego and San Diego on
Rio Cancuen, Steyermark 45344. — Sacatep4quez : Near Barranca
Hondo, southeast of Alotenango, Standley 64975. — Osuna, Johnston
1569.
Pleurothallis hastata Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 268. 1908 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, December, 1901, H. von
Turckheim 501). P. scopula Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 9: 28. 1910
(type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, epiphytic in high woods of
Cubilguitz, May, 1903, H. von Turckheim II 1180). Figure 75.
Epiphytic on trees in dense woods, up to 900 meters alt. Rare
in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 5.5 cm. tall. Secondary
stem almost obsolete, up to 3.5 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by a minute
scarious fugaceous sheath. Leaf oblanceolate-spatulate to oblong-lanceolate,
obtuse to acute and minutely tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, conspicuously
232 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
marginate, 1-3 cm. long including the slender sulcate petiole, 1.2-4 mm. wide.
Peduncle filiform, 2.5-4.5 cm. long, few- or many-flowered. Floral bracts scarious,
oblong with an aristate cauda at the apex, about 2 mm. long. Flowers fasciculate,
green-purple, spotted at the base, opening one at a time, with filiform pedicels that
are about 5 mm. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, with a fleshy
cauda that is about 2 mm. long, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the nerves,
5-7 mm. long including the cauda, 1-1.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique, united
for about 2 mm. Petals linear to narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate, oblique,
irregularly serrate particularly along the anterior margin, 1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long,
about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, somewhat 3-lobed, rhombic-ligulate
or subhastate, obtuse to broadly rounded at the apex, 2-3.2 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm.
wide across the lateral lobes, 3-nerved, with a small retrorse tooth on each side
of the claw; terminal lobe fleshy-thickened on the minutely papillose disk, oblong,
with the thin margins irregularly toothed or shortly fimbriate; lateral lobes tri-
angular, subacute, somewhat crenulate on the upper margins, fleshy-thickened
on the disk between them. Column slender, about 2 mm. long. Capsule obliquely
obovoid, about 7 mm. long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collections.
Pleurothallis hirsuta Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 270. 1908.
Epiphytic or on cliffs in dense mountain forests, at high elevations,
up to 3,000 meters alt. Widespread in Mexico, Guatemala and
Honduras.
Plant caespitose, up to 15 cm. tall, glabrous except for the flowers. Secondary
stem slender, terete below, trigonous above, unifoliate, provided below with two
close-fitting sheaths, up to 11 cm. long. Leaf elliptic-oblong, tridenticulate at
the obtuse apex, rigidly coriaceous, strongly keeled along the center on the back,
up to 5.5 cm. long and 2 cm. wide. Peduncles one to three, filiform; raceme
laxly few-flowered, exceeding the leaf. Floral bracts cucullate, mucronate at the
dilated apex, shorter than the slender pedicel. Flowers hirsute, ringent, greenish
yellow, mottled or spotted with deep purple. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic in
outline, obtuse, deeply concave below, reflexed above, 3-nerved, with a dorsal keel
that terminates in a mucro, hirsute on the inner surface near the margin, 6-7 mm.
long, about 3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals arcuate-decurved, somewhat sigmoid in
outline, united on the lower half to form a saccate mentum, spreading above,
obliquely elliptic, subacute, with a dorsal keel that terminates in a mucro, hirsute
on the inner surface above, 3-nerved, 4-4.5 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide. Petals
FIG. 75. Pleurothallis hastata. Flowering plant (X 1); 1, column, side view
(X 8); 2, lip, front view (X 8); 3, lateral sepals (X 3); 4, lip, side view (X 8);
5, petal (X 6); 6, dorsal sepal (X 3). P. samacensis. Flowering plant (X 1);
1, flower, front-side view (X 4); 2, lip, front-side view (X 9); 3, column, side view
(X 8). P. divexa (not found in Guatemala; native to Costa Rica). Flowering
plant (X 1); 1, flower, front-side view, with lateral sepal pulled back (X 3); 2,
petal (X 5); 3, lip, front-side view (X 10). P. abjecta. Flowering plant (XI);
1, lateral sepals (X 4); 2, petal (X 4); 3, dorsal sepal (X 4); 4, lip, front-side view
( X 7); 5, lip, front view (X 7); 6, column, side view ( X 5). Drawn by Eleonar B.
Phillips.
PLCUROTHALLIS
233
234 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
obliquely spatulate, fleshy at the obtuse apex, conspicuously 3-nerved with the
nerves dorsally carinate, about 3 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip
articulate with the column-foot, with a slender claw, arcuate at the base and
again at the apex; lamina oblong, rounded at the apex, about 2 mm. long and
1.5 mm. wide; disk with an intramarginal keel on each side below the middle,
with a prominent mid-nerve; claw linear, adorned with a sulcate callus. Column
winged, somewhat trilobulate at the apex and denticulate along the margins,
with a prominent foot, about 3 mm. long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, 6-ribbed,
sharply 3-angled, about 1 cm. long.
The trigonous secondary stem is a unique characteristic of this
species.
Chiquimula: Volcan Quezaltepeque, 3-4 miles northeast of
Quezaltepeque, Steyermark 31478. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Huitz,
between Mimanhuitz and Yulhuitz, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 48615.
Pleurothallis hondurensis Ames, Sched. Orch. 7: 20. pi. 15.
1908. Figure 78.
Epiphytic on trees in lowland forests especially along rivers, up
to 600 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala and Spanish Honduras.
Plant up to 2.5 dm. tall, from an elongated rhizome. Roots coarsely fibrous,
whitish, spreading. Secondary stem 5-12 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. thick, partly
concealed by several tubular sheaths, the uppermost one very much elongated.
Leaf solitary at apex of stem, coriaceous, 7.5-13 cm. long, 1.3-2 cm. wide above
the middle, elliptic-lanceolate to oblanceolate, acute, longer than the racemes.
Peduncles fasciculate in the axil of the leaf, enclosed at the base by a closely
appressed sheath, 4-5 cm. long including the few-flowered raceme, rather stout.
Floral bracts infundibuliform, acute, scarious, 1.5-2 mm. long. Flowers about
eight, greenish white or yellowish striped with purple, with slender pedicellate
ovaries that are about 3 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong, acute, 3-nerved, about
1 cm. long and 1 mm. wide. Lateral sepals coherent almost to the apex to form
a lanceolate 6-nerved lamina; lamina 9 mm. long, with the central nerve of each
sepal produced at the tip into a distinct keel. Petals oblong, acute, somewhat
dilated above the middle, with the margins somewhat denticulate, about 3 mm.
long and 1 mm. wide. Lip unguiculate, with a small retrorse lobule on each side
of the base of the claw, expanded above into an oblong acute lamina that is truncate
at the base; lamina fleshy, conspicuously 3-nerved, with the nerves prominent on
the under surface, about 5 mm. long and 2 mm. wide near the middle. Column
2.5 mm. long, produced into a conspicuous foot.
This species is apparently a heliophyte, and when exposed to
strong sunlight the leaves become suffused with a bronzy purple
hue. The flowers vary in coloration, but are normally yellowish,
with distinct purplish stripes along the veins of the sepals. The
petals are more or less hyaline, with a broad central band of carmine
or rose-purple.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA . 235
Izabal: South-facing lower ridges of Cerro San Gil (El Armitano),
opposite Cayuga, Steyermark 39484. Los Andes District, near Entre
Rios, Margaret W. Lewis 33.
Pleurothallis immersa Lind. & Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 224.
1855. P. lasiosepala Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 11: 43. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, near Pansamala and Rubelcruz, February, 1886, H. von
Turckheim 859).
Epiphytic on trees in open oak-pine forests, up to 1,500 meters
alt. Widespread but not common in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras,
Costa Rica and northern South America.
Plant rather large, erect, caespitose, glabrous except for the flowers, 18-47 cm.
tall. Secondary stem short, stout, 2.5-7 cm. long, monophyllous, concealed by
two brown tubular sheaths. Leaf oblong-oblanceolate, broadly rounded to obtuse
and retuse at the apex, glabrous, coriaceous, 10-19 cm. long, 2-3.8 cm. wide.
Raceme loosely many-flowered, conspicuously fractiflex, 17-40 cm. long including
the slender peduncle; peduncle provided with several short scarious sheaths.
Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute-apiculate, scarious, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers
dusky greenish yellow or purplish brown with dark nerves, with slender pedicels
usually extending at right angles to the rachis; pedicels persistent, 3-8 mm. long.
Sepals densely pubescent on the inner surface. Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate,
acute, cymbiform below the middle, conspicuously recurved above the middle,
3-nerved, strongly keeled dorsally below the middle, 8-14 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form an oblong-elliptic bifid
lamina; lamina 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve of each sepal,
8-13 mm. long, 4.2-5.5 mm. wide. Petals obovate-spatulate, subtruncate-obtuse
at the apex, dorsally fleshy-thickened along the center especially at the apex,
3-4 (rarely up to 5.5) mm. long, 1.8-2.5 (rarely up to 3.5) mm. wide. Lip con-
spicuously arcuate-decurved in natural position, sagittate or triangular-hastate
when spread out, with an oblong-quadrate thickened claw that has a short mam-
millate process on each side at the base, 3-4 (rarely 6) mm. long including the
claw, 1.3-2 (rarely 3) mm. wide; disk 3-nerved, the central vein slightly thickened,
with an intramarginal linear callus on each side extending from the lateral tri-
angular auricles to the apex of the lip. Column slender, arcuate, narrowly winged
on the anterior margins with the wings irregularly denticulate, 3-lobed at the apex
with the margins toothed, 3-3.5 mm. long, with a foot 1-1.5 mm. long. Capsule
ellipsoid, about 2 cm. long.
In Schlechter's description of P. lasiosepala, the petals and lip
were said to be 5.5 mm. long and 6 mm. long, respectively. We
saw no specimens having such large petals and lip.
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, trail between Santa Rosalia de
Marmol and Vegas, Steyermark 42927.
Pleurothallis Johnsonii Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 21. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chama to Coban, August 15,
1920, Harry Johnson 901). Figure 71.
236 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Terrestrial or growing on rocks, up to 2,800 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant ascending or spreading, glabrous, caespitose, up to 26 cm. tall. Second-
ary stem rather stout, rigid, monophyllous, 4-14 cm. long, concealed by loose
overlapping sheaths of which the uppermost one often encloses the base of the
leaf. Leaf with a short sulcate petiole, oblong-lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, acute,
conduplicate below the middle, 8-13 cm. long, 2.5-5.4 cm. wide. Peduncles
terminal and lateral, supporting a few-flowered short raceme; terminal peduncle
rising from the base of the leaf, up to 4 cm. long including the raceme; lateral
peduncles rising at the base of the secondary stems, flexuous, up to 7 cm. long in-
cluding the raceme, provided with short inflated scarious apiculate sheaths. Floral
bracts suborbicular-flabellate, truncate-apiculate, involute, scarious, purple-
spotted, about 4 mm. long. Flowers reddish, purple-blotched, fleshy. Sepals
glandular-papillose on the inner and outer surfaces and along the apical margins,
several-nerved; dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, subobtuse to acute
and thickened at the apex, concave at the base, 7-13 mm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals free to below the middle, obliquely triangular to oblong-elliptic,
obtuse-apiculate and thickened at the apex, the upper part concave-cucullate,
dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, 7-10 mm. long, 2.5-5 mm. wide. Petals
obliquely rhombic-spatulate, subacute, glandular-papillose on the inner and outer
surfaces, conspicuously long-ciliate along the upper margins, 3-nerved, 5-8 mm.
long, 1.5-2.2 mm. wide above the middle. Lip arcuate, ligulate, ovate-oblong,
abruptly subacute to broadly rounded at the apex, apical margins somewhat crenu-
late, 5.5-7 mm. long including the short cuneate claw, 2-3.5 mm. wide; disk
3-nerved, with a V-shaped callus just above the claw and a fleshy verruculose
linear callus along each lateral nerve, verruculose just in front of the V-shaped
callus and on the upper half of the lip. Column slender, 3-lobed at the apex,
about 5 mm. long, with a prominent foot about 3 mm. long. Capsule large, strongly
ribbed, ellipsoid, about 3 cm. long.
This species is unusual among the Guatemalan Pleurothallis in
that it bears both terminal and lateral inflorescences on the same
plant.
Chiquimula: Montana Nube (Montana Volcancitos), between
Socorro Mountain and Cerro Brujo, southeast of Concepcion de
las Minas, Steyermark 30888. — San Marcos: Barrancas six miles
south and west of town of Tajumulco, northwestern slopes of Volcan
Tajumulco, Steyermark 36694; 36687. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas,
upper slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, Steyermark
42505.
Pleurothallis lancilabris (Reichb. f.) Schltr. var. oxyglossa
(Schltr.) C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 6: 200. 1938.
P. oxyglossa Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 354. 1912 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Alta Verapaz, in high woods, near Coban. February, 1908,
H. von Turckheim II 2422a).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 237
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,900 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico,
Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant small, erect or ascending, densely caespitose, glabrous, 1.5-8 cm. tall.
Secondary stem almost obsolete, less than 5 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed
by a whitish scarious sheath. Leaf narrowly obovate to linear-spatulate, obtuse
and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex, membranaceous, marginate, 1-3.5 cm.
long, 2-4 mm. wide near the apex. Raceme solitary, slender, laxly few- to many-
flowered, prominently fractiflex, up to 7.5 cm. long including the short filiform
peduncle. Floral bracts minute, ovate-cucullate, shortly acuminate, scarious,
1-1.5 mm. long. Flowers pale green to reddish green, distichous, with filiform
persistent pedicels 3-4 mm. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate,
attenuate, ciliolate along the margins, concave below, 1-nerved, 2.5-4.5 mm.
long, 1-1.2 mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals somewhat oblique. Petals
narrowly linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate, attenuate, falcate, ciliolate along
the margins, 1-nerved, 1.5-4 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip fleshy, ovate-
lanceolate, long-acuminate, attenuate, 1-3-nerved, ciliolate along the margins,
fleshy-thickened on the disk at the base, 2-3 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm. wide near the
base. Column short, footless, broadly 2-winged at the apex, less than 1 mm. long.
Variety oxyglossa differs from typical P. lancilabris mainly in its
fractiflex rachis and more elongate-acuminate floral segments.
Izabal: Near Puerto Barrios, Lewis 26a [somewhat intermediate
between P. lancilabris and var. oxyglossa].
Pleurothallis leucantha Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 353.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, May,
1907, H. von Turckheim II 2425).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,350 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant small, erect or ascending, caespitose, glabrous, 10-16 cm. tall. Second-
ary stem terete, slender, monophyllous, 3-9.5 cm. long, provided with two closely
appressed tubular sheaths. Leaf erect or erect-spreading, lanceolate, somewhat
abruptly acuminate with the apex tridenticulate, coriaceous, 4-7 cm. long, 7-16
mm. wide. Inflorescence fasciculate, up to 1.5 cm. long including the abbreviated
peduncle, with the small greenish yellow flowers erect-spreading; peduncle sub-
tended by a small compressed apiculate spathe that is 5-6 mm. long. Floral
bracts minute, orbicular-cucullate, about 1.5 mm. long. Dorsal sepal broadly
ovate to elliptic, obtuse to subacute, 3-nerved, 3.25-4.2 mm. long, about 3 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form an orbicular-ovate bidentate
lamina; lamina 4-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve of each sepal,
3.25-4 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear-lanceolate, acute,
with irregularly serrulate margins, inconspicuously dorsally carinate along the
solitary central nerve, 2.5-3 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip fleshy-thickened,
in natural position recurved at the base with the basal rounded margins curved
upward, with the margins minutely crenulate; when spread out suborbicular-
reniform to broadly ovate-cordate, obtuse-apiculate at the apex with the apicule
somewhat incurved, about 2 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide across the lower part;
disk 3-nerved, conspicuously fleshy-thickened near the base. Column short,
thick, about 1.5 mm. long.
238 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Pleurothallis Sanchoi Ames, a Costa Rican species, is closely
allied to this species and, with further study, may prove to be
conspecific.
Alta Verapaz: Rio Coban, Coban-San Pedro, Johnson 609.
Pleurothallis Lewisae Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 44: 41.
1931 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Izabal, near Puerto Barrios, August,
1930, Margaret Ward Lewis 2). Figure 76.
Epiphytic on mango tree (our material), at low altitudes. Rare
in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant creeping and closely appressed to the bark of trees. Secondary stems
from a creeping rhizome, distichous, directed obliquely forward, monophyllous,
2.5-6 mm. long, concealed by scarious nervose sheaths. Leaf oval to orbicular,
minutely tridenticulate at the rounded apex, with the surface minutely pustulose
and glossy, 6-10 mm. long, 5-6.5 mm. wide. Peduncle simple or often in pairs,
usually 2-3-flowered, shorter than or equaling the leaf, sheathed at the base.
Floral bracts ample, hispidulous, infundibuliform. Flowers small, opening in
succession, with slender glabrous pedicellate ovaries. Sepals yellow, oblong-lanceo-
late, acute, 3-nerved, smooth, about 5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide; dorsal sepal
strongly concave, cymbiform; lateral sepals free almost to the base, the united
basal portion forming a short mentum. Petals purplish, oblong, abruptly rounded
at the apex where they are shortly apiculate, 1-nerved, with the surface and
margins densely and minutely glandulose, about 4 mm. long and 1 mm. wide.
Lip purplish, oblong, acute, fleshy, 3-nerved, with a triangular lobule on each side
near the middle, densely and minutely glandulose, about 2.5 mm. long. Column
slender at the base, dilated upward, about 2 mm. long, margin of the clinandrium
irregularly fringed.
The glabrous sepals and ovary, the lobulate lip and the 2- or
more-flowered inflorescence serve to distinguish P. Lewisae from
closely related species.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis Matudiana C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 5: 102. 1938.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 2,400 meters alt. Rare in Mexico and
Guatemala.
Plant erect, somewhat stout, glabrous, caespitose, up to 35 cm. tall. Second-
ary stem rigid, monophyllous, up to 25 cm. tall, provided with two scarious fuga-
ceous tubular sheaths. Leaf narrowly cordate-ovate to cordate-lanceolate, acumi-
nate, with a minutely tridenticulate tip, coriaceous, somewhat conduplicate at
the base, 6.5-11 cm. long, 1.8-3.7 cm. wide. Flowers ringent, fasciculate, with
slender pedicels, subtended by short scarious imbricating bracts; base of inflores-
cence surrounded by a small conduplicate spathe. Dorsal sepal ovate to ovate-
elliptic, acute, concave below, recurved above the middle, 3-nerved, often dorsally
PLE.UR0THALJLJ.S
FIG. 76. Pleurothallis Lewsae. 1, Honduran plant (X 1); 2, Guatemalan
plant (X 1 H) ; 3, lip ( X 12) ; 4, flower, front-side view ( X 8). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
239
240 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
carinate along the nerves, 6-9 mm. long, 3.7-5.7 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united
into a broadly ovate or oblong-elliptic lamina; lamina subobtuse, acute or sharply
bidentate at the apex, concave below, with the margins often somewhat revolute,
6-nerved, dorsally bicarinate, 6.5-8.2 mm. long, 3-6 mm. wide. Petals parallel
to and surrounding the lip in natural position, obliquely filiform or narrowly
linear, acute or attenuate, 1-nerved, with the margins minutely denticulate-
crenulate, 6-8 mm. long, 0.5-0.9 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, fleshy-thick-
ened, ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acute-apiculate at the apex, slightly
arcuate at the base and longitudinally sulcate in natural position, with the margins
minutely and irregularly crenulate, 4.1-5.2 mm. long, 2-2.7 mm. wide across the
dilated base. Column short, stout.
P. Matudiana is vegetatively similar to a number of species of
the alliance of P. cardiothallis. It is distinguished from closely
allied species by its oblong type of lip.
El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, pine-oak woods, hills between
Finca Piamonte and slopes southeast of Finca Piamonte, Steyermark
43430. — Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, Johnston & Porter (Margaret
W. Lewis 201). Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley
58497. Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between San Francisco Sales
and the base of the active cone, Standley 80771. — Jalapa: Volcan
Jumay, north of Jalapa, Steyermark 32381.— San Marcos: Barranca
Eminencia, above San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta, Standley 68462.—
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, between Cerro de Monos and upper
slopes of Monte Virgen, Steyermark 42853. Sierra de las Minas, slopes
of Monte Virgen, around the summit of the mountain, Steyermark
42605. Cloud forest in ravine bordering Quebrada Alejandria,
summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Alejandria, Steyer-
mark 29876.
Pleurothallis minutalis Lindl. Fol. Orch. (Pleurothallis) 40.
1859.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,100 meters alt. Rare in
Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant small, less than 5 cm. tall, with a creeping rhizome that gives rise at
intervals to short secondary stems; rhizome concealed by scarious-fibrous sheaths.
Secondary stems concealed by scarious-fibrous sheaths, short, ascending, unifoliate,
about 5 mm. long. Leaves obovate to oblanceolate, obliquely tridentate at the
rounded to obtuse apex, coriaceous, sulcate, up to 4 cm. long and 7 mm. wide.
Peduncles one or several from the apex of the secondary stem, 1- or 2-flowered,
shorter or longer than the leaves. Floral bracts tubular, apiculate, more or less
spotted with purple. Flowers yellowish or light reddish brown, with the lip dark
purplish brown and vernicose. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, tapering to the acute
apex, concave, 3-nerved, 3.5-3.7 mm. long, about 1.5 mm. wide near the base.
Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat united at the
base, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate, 3.5-4.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide below the
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 241
middle. Petals lanceolate, acuminate, irregularly ciliate, 3-4 mm. long, about
0.7 mm. wide near the base. Lip elliptic-lanceolate, acute, fleshy, articulate to
the base of the column by a short thin thread-like claw, 2.5-3 mm. long, 0.8-1 mm.
wide. Column slender, about 2 mm. long, dilated at the apex into a thin laciniate
membrane.
Guatemala: Purchased in the market in Guatemala City, collected
within a radius of 20-30 miles of the city, Margaret W. Lewis 26A.
Pleurothallis muricata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 293.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Coban, May, 1907,
H. von Turckheim II 2392). Kraenzlinella muricata (Schltr.) Rolfe,
Orch. Rev. 23: 326. 1915.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,000 meters alt. Uncommon
from Guatemala to Panama.
Plant erect, rather stout, glabrous, 18-55 cm. tall. Secondary stem short,
terete, monophyllous, usually tinged with maroon, 2-7 cm. long, provided at the
base with a loose tubular scarious sheath. Leaf erect or suberect, linear-oblong
to elliptic, obtuse and minutely tridenticulate at the apex, sessile, coriaceous,
7-17 cm. long, 1.3-4.3 cm. wide. Raceme usually solitary, greatly exceeding the
leaf, loosely many-flowered, often fractiflex, 14-48 cm. long including the long
peduncle; peduncle with several scarious bracts that are about 12 mm. long and
a short sheath at the base. Floral bracts compressed, ovate-cucullate, subacute to
acuminate, dorsally carinate, falcate-incurved, a little longer than the pedicels,
1-1.5 cm. long. Flowers erect-spreading, reddish brown and maroon marked
with green-yellow. Sepals usually minutely papillose-pulvereous on the outer
surface, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve; dorsal sepal oblong to oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, cymbiform, 6-7-nerved, 1-2 cm. long, 5-8.5 mm.
wide below the middle; lateral sepals obliquely oblong to lanceolate, obtuse to
acute, shallowly canaliculate, 5-6-nerved, with the conspicuous dorsal carinae
thin and irregularly toothed at the apex, 1.2-2.3 cm. long, 4-6 mm. wide. Petals
obliquely ligulate-lanceolate, often slightly narrowed at the base, obtuse-apiculate
to acute, 2-3-nerved, lightly dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, 7-10 mm. long,
2-2.5 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, fleshy-thickened, in natural position
strongly arcuate-decurved ; lamina oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse to
subacute, usually narrowed below the middle, with entire or somewhat crenulate
margins, provided at the base on each side with a thin erect-spreading triangular
obtuse denticulate lobule, 7-11 mm. long including the claw, 2-4 mm. wide at the
middle; disk usually minutely papillose-pulvereous, rarely subglabrous. Column
semiterete below, winged above on the anterior margins, canaliculate, recurved,
irregularly toothed at the apex, 5-8 mm. long, with a foot 2.5-4 mm. long. Ovary
densely muricate, about 1.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Along road, between San Cristobal Verapaz and
Chixoy, Steyermark 43883. — El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, trail
between Finca Piamonte east to Finca San Miguel, passing Finca
Polonia, Finca Delicias, and aldea Cimiento, Steyermark 43738.
242 FIELD IANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Pleurothallis ophiocephala Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 34.
1838.
Epiphytic on trees in damp forests and coffee plantations, up
to 1,200 meters alt. Common in Mexico; uncommon in Guatemala
and Costa Rica.
Plant stiffly erect, caespitose, glabrous except for the flowers, 1.4-4.5 dm. tall.
Secondary stem terete, rather stout, monophyllous, 6.5-25 cm. long, provided
with 2-3 tubular fugaceous sheaths. Leaf with a short sulcate petiole, oblong
to lanceolate, obtuse to shortly acute and minutely retuse at the apex, often
oblique, coriaceous, 7-20 cm. long including the petiole, 1.3-4 cm. wide. Flowers
1-3, fleshy, yellow with purplish spots, ringent, in a terminal fascicle, sheathed
by scarious apiculate imbricating bracts that are up to 1.8 cm. long, with pedicel-
late ovaries that are about 1.3 cm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic to oblong-ligulate,
broadly rounded or obtuse at the apex, concave below the middle, fleshy-thickened
and convex above the middle, densely silky-pubescent along the thin minutely
involute margins, papillose with irregularly broken transverse ridges on the
inner surface, scurfy with brownish stellate scales on the outer surface; dorsal
sepal 7-11-nerved, 1.5-2.8 cm. long, 5-8 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique, 5-6-
nerved, 1.3-2.5 cm. long, 2.5-3.5 mm. wide, connate at first to form a broad
elliptic lamina, later usually separating almost to the base. Petals with a short
narrow claw, obovate-oblong to oblong-elliptic, broadly rounded at the apex,
with a white villous fringe on the margins, papillose-ciliolate on the inner and
outer surfaces, 3-nerved, somewhat dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, 5-8 mm.
long including the claw, 2.2-3.2 mm. wide. Lip loosely hinged to the foot of the
column, in natural position arcuate with two minute inflexed processes on each
side near the base; lamina oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 3-3.2 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide;
disk with 2 keels on each side near the middle. Column short, thick, about 2.5
mm. long; pollinia four. Capsule ovoid-cylindrical, with broad scurfy ridges,
1.5-2 cm. long.
This species has very interesting flowers of which Lindley (Bot.
Reg. 24: Misc. 48. 1838) writes that they are ". . . so similar to the
head of a snake with the jaws open, that it is difficult at first sight
to believe it really a flower that one looks upon. To add to the
deception, the small labellum is shaped like a tongue, and moves
up and down when you peep into the mouth of the flower."
Suchitepequez: Southern lower slopes of Volcan Zunil, vicinity
of Finca Alvidas, east of Pueblo Nuevo, Steyermark 35451. — Wood-
lot near Virginia and west coast of Guatemala near Escuintla,
Lewis 28.— Eastern portions of Vera Paz and Chiquimula, Chocon
forests?, Watson. — "Guatemala:" Spinden.
Pleurothallis pachyglossa Lindl. Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 68.
1840. P. formosa Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 291. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, October, 1907, H. von
Turckheim II 1995).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 243
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 1,600 meters alt. Fairly
common from Mexico to Costa Rica.
Plant erect or ascending, glabrous, up to 35 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender,
terete, monophyllous, up to 15 cm. long, provided with two closely appressed
brownish scarious tubular sheaths that are up to 7 cm. long. Leaf erect-spread-
ing, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, subobtuse to shortly acuminate and tridentate
at the apex, tapering into the short sulcate petiole, 5-14 cm. long, 1.5-2.5 cm.
wide. Raceme solitary, often fractiflex, one-flowered or with a few scattered
flowers, exceeding the leaves, up to 25 cm. long including the slender petiole, with
a small inconspicuous tubular spathaceous sheath at the base; sheath brownish,
scarious, up to 1.5 cm. long. Floral bracts minute, tubular-cucullate, acute to
acuminate, about 5 mm. long. Flowers rather large, spreading, reddish or dull
purplish, with slender pedicels that are up to 15 mm. long. Dorsal sepal cymbi-
form, lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved, somewhat ciliate along the margins, lightly
carinate along the mid-nerve, 1.5-2.4 cm. long, 4-5.2 mm. wide below the middle.
Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form a bifid lamina; lamina broadly
lanceolate, longitudinally concave, 4- to 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the
central nerve of each sepal, 1.5-2.3 cm. long, 5-7 mm. wide, with the free parts
acuminate. Petals oblong-obovate, obtuse to broadly rounded at the apex,
somewhat oblique, 3-nerved, shallowly cucullate at the apex, verruculose above
the middle on the outer surface, inner surface papillose-ciliate within the upper
margins, 6-10 mm. long, 3-4.2 mm. wide. Lip with a short somewhat arcuate
claw, linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, conspicuously auriculate at the base with
the auricles extending as wings to about the middle of the lip, verruculose above
the middle, 7-14 mm. long, up to 3.5 mm. wide near the base; disk 3-nerved, with
a fleshy-thickened sulcate callus extending from between the auricles to the apex
of the lip, the callus tuberculate-crested at the base; auricles thin, subquadrate,
broadly rounded. Column short, entire or slightly toothed at the apex, about
3 mm. long, with a foot about 2 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, about 2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 799. Rio Frio, Johnson 734.
Road from Chama to Coban, Johnson 828.
Pleurothallis pansamalae Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 354.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, epiphytic in Pansamala,
February, 1887, H. von Turckheim 797; in woods near Coban,
November, 1906, H. von Turckheim II 1538).
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests, up to 2,300 meters alt.
Rather common and widespread in Mexico, Guatemala and British
Honduras.
Plant erect or ascending, slender, glabrous, densely caespitose, 9-24 cm. tall.
Secondary stem rigid, monophyllous, 5-16 cm. long, provided with two or more
closely appressed scarious fugaceous tubular sheaths. Leaf cordate-ovate to nar-
rowly cordate-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, somewhat conduplicate at the
base, 4-9.5 cm. long, 1.1-3.5 cm. wide below the middle. Flowers greenish marked
with yellow, red or brown, fasciculate, with slender filiform pedicels, subtended
by scarious ovate-cucullate bracts; base of inflorescence enclosed by a compressed
244 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
elliptic cuspidate subcoriaceous spathe that is up to 1.3 cm. long. Dorsal sepal
ovate to broadly elliptic, obtuse, concave, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the
nerves, 3.5-5 mm. long, 2.8-3.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals wholly united into an
orbicular-ovate lamina; lamina broadly rounded to obtuse at the apex, 2-4-nerved,
dorsally carinate along the nerves, 3.1-4.5 mm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide. Petals
obliquely linear to linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to long-acuminate, with the
margins irregularly denticulate, 1-nerved, often lightly dorsally carinate along
the nerve, 3-3.75 mm. long, 0.5-0.75 mm. wide. Lip orbicular-ovate to subcordate-
ovate, acute-apiculate at the apex with the apicule suberect, 3-nerved, finely and
irregularly crenulate along the margins, 2-3 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide; disk
fleshy-thickened, with a transverse fleshy ridge at the base. Column short, thick,
about 2 mm. long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid-cylindrical, prominently 6-ribbed,
up to 1.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Turckheim 3809. Road, Chama to Coban, Johnson
504. Chihob, Johnson 875. Near Coban, Standley 71619. Moun-
tains east of Tactic, on road to Tamahu, Standley 71280. Tactic,
Johnston 1865. Se Shun, Cook & Griggs 108. Finca Mocca, Johnson
52. Along Rio Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha,
Standley 89890. Mountains along road between Tactic and the
divide on road to Tamahu, Standley 91451. — Chiquimula: Cerro
Tixixi (Tishishi), 3-5 miles north of Jocotan, Steyermark 31575.—
Guatemala: Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between San Francisco
Sales and the base of the active cone, Standley 80744. — Suchite-
pequez: Volcan Zunil, Skutch 942.
Pleurothallis pansamalae var. triangulabia Correll, Lloydia
10: 210. 1947 (type: Guatemala, Volcan Zunil, 2,600 meters alt.,
epiphytic on tree trunk in heavy forest, flowers greenish, August 4,
1934, A. F. Skutch 942A).
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests, up to 2,600 meters alt. Rare
in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, glabrous, caespitose, 10-24 cm. tall. Secondary
stem rigid, slender, monophyllous, 6-20 cm. long, provided with two closely
appressed scarious tubular fugaceous sheaths. Leaf cordate-ovate to cordate-
lanceolate, abruptly acuminate and curved at the apex, obliquely tridenticulate
at the tip, coriaceous, lightly marginate, 4-10 cm. long, 2-4 cm. wide below the
middle. Flowers green, fasciculate, with slender short pedicels up to 1 cm. long,
enclosed at the base by a conduplicate sheath up to 1 cm. long. Dorsal sepal
oblong-elliptic, subobtuse to acute, concave below the middle, 3-nerved, 4.2-5.5
mm. long, 2.3-3.2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united to form a broadly ovate
lamina; lamina subacute, concave below the middle, 4-nerved, 4.5-5 mm. long,
2.5-3.2 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, falcate, 1-nerved,
irregularly serrulate along the margins, 3.5-4 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide.
Lip with a short claw, fleshy-thickened, triangular-hastate to triangular-ovate
or with a blunt lobe on each side at the base, acute-apiculate at the apex with the
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 245
apicule erect, irregularly crenulate along the margins, 2.3-3 mm. long, 1.8-2.2 mm.
wide across the lateral lobules; lateral lobules or auricles subquadrate, upcurved;
disk 3-nerved, with a thick mammillate callus at the base. Column short, thick,
fleshy, about 1.5 mm. long.
Variety triangulabia is similar to the typical form in habit, but
differs from it mainly in the shape of the lip, which is triangular-
hastate with a prominent auricle or lobule on each side at the base.
The leaf is also larger than in typical P. pansamalae.
Quezaltenango: Palmar, Skutch 1424. — Suchitepequez: Volcan
Santa Clara, between Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark
46697.
Pleurothallis pedicellaris Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 395.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Coban, June, 1907,
H. von Turckheim II 2423).
Epiphytic on trees and on stumps of forests up to 1,400 meters
alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 3.5 cm. tall. Secondary stem
almost obsolete, mostly less than 3 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by several
scarious whitish sheaths. Leaf erect, broadly ovate to oblanceolate-spatulate,
obtuse and retuse at the apex with an apicule in the sinus, 0.7-2 cm. long including
the petiole, 2.5-5 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, erect, filiform, up to 2 cm. long
including the few-flowered raceme. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, about
1 mm. long. Flowers yellow, distichous, with slender persistent pedicels that
are about 3 mm. long. Dorsal sepal narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 1-nerved,
2.5-3.8 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate to elliptic-
lanceolate, shortly acuminate, 1-nerved, ciliate along the apical margin, 2.1-3.8
mm. long, 0.8-1.5 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear-lanceolate, falcate, shortly
acuminate, ciliate along the margins, 1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, 0.6-1 mm. wide.
Lip ovate-linguiform, subacute, fleshy, 1-1.8 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide; disk
with a transverse fleshy ridge at the base in front of the short claw. Column
short, stout, 3-lobulate at the apex, 0.5-1 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to P. fuegi but differs from that
species mainly in the shape of the lip, petals and column.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Cemetery Calvacia, Johnson 550. Coban,
Johnson 652. Finca Volcan, Wilson 239.
Pleurothallis platystylis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 395.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, between Tactic and
Coban, December, 1906, H. von Turckheim II 1600). P.Bernoullii
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 204. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Guatemala, near Guatemala, December, 1865, Bernoulli & Carlo
499).
246 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,500 meters alt. Uncom-
mon in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant erect or ascending, slender, glabrous, 15-35 cm. tall. Secondary stem
terete, monophyllous, 4-18.5 cm. long, provided with two or three tubular scarious
sheaths. Leaf erect, oblong-ligulate to oblanceolate, broadly rounded or obtuse
and minutely incised at the apex, coriaceous, tapering into the short sulcate
petiole, 5-12 cm. long, 1.2-3.5 cm. wide. Raceme one or two, slender, loosely
many-flowered, secund, 10-20 cm. long including the short peduncle. Floral
bracts tubular, cucullate, apiculate, about 4 mm. long. Flowers yellow or greenish
yellow, erect-spreading, with slender arcuate pedicels that are 6-8 mm. long.
Sepals often recurved above the middle with the apical margins somewhat involute,
dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve; dorsal sepal oblong-linear to narrowly
lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 3-nerved, 6-9 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide; lateral
sepals united for about half their length, oblong-linear, obtuse-apiculate to acute,
somewhat oblique, 3-nerved, 6.5-9 mm. long, about 1.8 mm. wide above the
point of coalescence. Petals obliquely oblanceolate, broadly rounded or obtuse
at the apex, glabrous, conspicuously 3-nerved, apical margins minutely crenulate,
4-5 mm. long, 1.5-1.8 mm. wide. Lip with a short narrow sulcate claw, in natural
position arcuate-decurved and canaliculate, with the lateral margins erect, 3-
nerved, dorsally carinate along the nerves; when spread out ovate-oblong, mostly
oblong-quadrate above the dilated middle portion, subtruncate to obtuse at the
apex, crenulate along the apical margins, glabrous, 4-4.5 mm. long including the
claw, about 2 mm. wide at the widest point; disk with a fleshy callus near the apex,
often lightly keeled below the callus along the lateral nerves. Column thick,
short, about 3 mm. long, with a foot that is 1.5-2 mm. long. Capsule obliquely
ellipsoid, about 1 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Near Coban, Turckheim II 1867. Coban, Turck-
heim 3998. Finca Mocca, Johnson 91. From Chama to Coban,
Johnson 860. La Isla, south of Santa Cruz, Standley 89241. Large
swamp just east of Tactic, Steyermark 44019. — Jalapa: Volcan
Jumay, north of Jalapa, Steyermark 32375. — Quiche": Cerro Putul,
"Zona Reyna," Skutch 1829. — Zacapa: Cloud forest, on summit of
Sierra de las Minas, in vicinity of Finca Planados, Steyermark 29979.
Pleurothallis plumosa Lindl. Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 72. 1842.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,000 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala,
Costa Rica, Trinidad and Venezuela.
Plant erect, caespitose, up to 19 cm. tall. Secondary stem short, rather stout
and rigid, monophyllous, up to 4.5 cm. long, provided with one or more fugaceous
sheaths. Leaf obliquely oblong to oblong-elliptic, obtuse and retuse at the apex
with a slender cusp in the sinus, coriaceous, glabrous, 5-7 cm. long, 1.3-2.3 cm.
wide. Peduncles 1-2, erect, exceeding the leaf, densely granulose-ciliate, up to
14.5 cm. long including the few- to many-flowered raceme, with a lanceolate
conduplicate membranaceous sheath at the base about 1 cm. long. Floral bracts
ovate-cucullate, acute, granulose-ciliate, about 3 mm. long. Flowers subsessile,
greenish yellow or orange, usually marked inside with purple dots. Pedicels and
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 247
ovaries densely granulose-ciliate; pedicels stout, about 1 mm. long. Sepals densely
granulose-ciliate on the outer surface and along the margins. Dorsal sepal linear,
acute-apiculate, shallowly sulcate below the middle, fleshy-thickened and semi-
terete at the apex, 3-nerved, about 12 mm. long, 1.3-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals
united almost to the apex to form an oblong-elliptic lamina; lamina bifid, 6-nerved,
about 12 mm. long and 5 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear-lanceolate, shortly
acuminate-apiculate, irregularly and deeply fringed along the margins, 1-nerved,
3-3.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Lip fleshy, with a prominent claw, ovate,
obtuse, ciliate along the somewhat upturned margins, 3-nerved, about 4 mm. long
including the claw and 2 mm. wide; disk fleshy-thickened just in front of the
claw, with a thickened keel on each side below the middle. Column slender,
slightly arcuate, irregularly toothed at the apex, about 3 mm. long, with a foot
about 1.2 mm. long. Capsule obliquely cylindrical, prominently 6-ribbed, about
1.5 cm. long.
Guatemala (fide Schlechter).
Pleurothallis Pringlei Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 20. 1906.
Epiphytic on trees in forests or on the face of cliffs, up to 3,000
meters alt. Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant erect, up to 8 cm. tall, consisting of a creeping rhizome that gives rise
at frequent intervals to short secondary stems, forming dense mats; rhizome
concealed by fibrous-scarious sheaths; roots filiform, whitish, fibrous. Secondary
stems up to 2 cm. long, unifoliate, concealed by several lepanthiform sheaths;
sheaths nervose, dilated and marginate at the apex, with the apical margin minutely
hispid. Leaf oblanceolate to elliptic-spatulate, tridenticulate at the rounded to
obtuse apex, dull green above, purplish beneath, coriaceous, sulcate, abruptly
narrowed at the base to form a short petiole, up to 3.5 cm. long and 1.2 cm. wide.
Peduncle solitary, filiform, provided with one or two short bracts; raceme laxly
few-flowered. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, obtuse, shorter than the pedicellate
ovaries. Flowers small, dull purplish brown, yellowish brown at the base. Dorsal
sepal ovate-oblong, acute, 3-nerved, concave, glabrous, 4-4.5 mm. long, about
1.5 mm. wide below the middle. Lateral sepals connate below the middle, obliquely
lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to subacuminate, 3-nerved, glabrous, 4-4.5
mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Petals linear to linear-lanceolate, irregularly laciniate
on the margins above, acuminate, oblique, 1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long, less than 1 mm.
wide. Lip 3-lobed at the base, somewhat cordate at the base, articulate with the
column-foot, 3-nerved, glabrous, 2-3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; lateral lobes
minute, obliquely ovate, acute, incurved, with the margins erose; mid-lobe oblong-
elliptic, obtuse. Column about 2 mm. long, with a short foot, 3-lobed and denticu-
late at the apex, with the mid-lobe slender, linear and laciniate. Capsule obovoid,
about 7 mm. long, somewhat 3-angled.
Quezaltenango: Hot springs along Rio Samala, opposite railroad
tracks, below Zunil, Steyermark 34969.
Pleurothallis repens Ames, Orch., Fasc. II: 271. 1908 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, December, 1901, H. von
Turckheim 496).
248 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees, up to 350 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant creeping and closely appressed to the bark of trees; rhizome clothed
with scarious sheaths. Secondary stems erect or ascending, monophyllous, 5-10
mm. long, with a scarious fugaceous sheath at the base; sheath oblique and shortly
acuminate at the apex. Leaf linear-spatulate to narrowly linear-oblanceolate,
obtuse and minutely tridenticulate at the apex, tapering below the middle, green
above, apparently glaucous on the lower surface, 2.5-4.5 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide.
Peduncle solitary, erect or ascending, few-flowered, up to 1.5 cm. long. Floral
bracts cucullate-lanceolate, about 1 mm. long. Flowers small, with slender pedicels
about 2.5 mm. long. Sepals ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute, 1-nerved, about
3 mm. long and 2 mm. wide. Petals ovate-elliptic, subacute, 1-nerved, about 2.5
mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide. Lip ligulate, obtuse, with the margins revolute, about
3 mm. long and 1 mm. wide; disk thickened, granulose, papillose on the central
portion. Column short, without a foot.
This species is vegetatively similar to P. sertularioides, but
differs from that species markedly in the structure of the flowers.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis ruscifolia (Jacq.) R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew. 2,
5: 211. 1813. Epidendrum ruscifolium Jacq. Sel. Stirp. Am. 226. t.
133. f. 3. 1763. Figure 77.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, on rotten logs, rarely terrestrial,
up to 1,850 meters alt. Widespread in the West Indies, Guatemala,
Costa Rica, Panama and northern South America.
Plant erect or ascending, glabrous, caespitose, 1-5 dm. tall. Secondary stem
rigid, monophyllous, 6-40 cm. long, provided with several scarious fugaceous
sheaths. Leaf oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, acute to acuminate and obliquely
tridenticulate at the apex, often somewhat falcate, coriaceous, 7-19 cm. long,
1.5-5.3 cm. wide, abruptly contracted at the base into the short sulcate petiole.
Flowers pale green to pale yellow, in a dense cluster near the base of the petiole,
glomerate, spreading, with slender pedicels. Pedicels about 1 cm. long, inclosed
by a conduplicate membranaceous sheath about 6 mm. long. Dorsal sepal ovate-
lanceolate, long-acuminate, strongly concave near the base, 3-nerved, 6-10 mm.
long, 2.5-3.5 mm. wide below the middle. Lateral sepals united to form an ovate-
lanceolate to lanceolate lamina; lamina long-acuminate, 4-nerved, with the
margins somewhat involute, 6-10 mm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide near the base. Petals
obliquely linear-lanceolate to subfiliform, acute to acuminate-attenuate, 3-nerved,
4.2-9 mm. long, 0.5-1 mm. wide near the base. Lip fleshy, with a short claw,
arcuate to almost conduplicate in natural position, when spread out ovate to
ovate-subquadrate, triangular-acute at the apex, with the upper margins irregularly
FIG. 77. Pleurothallis ruscifolia. 1, leaf and inflorescence (X 1); 2, flower,
front view (X 2); 3, lip and column, side view (anther removed; X 10); 4, lip,
from above (X 10) ; 5, 6, and 7, column, from different angles, to show pulvinate
foot, rostellum, and stigmatic orifice under rostellum (anther removed; about
X 15); 8, pollinia (much enlarged). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
PUCUR.OTHAUUI5
249
250 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
crenulate, 2-2.3 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide below the middle; disk 3-nerved, with
the mid-nerve somewhat fleshy-thickened below the middle of the disk. Column
1-1.5 mm. long, with a short apicule at the apex. Capsule cylindrical, strongly
6-ribbed, 10-16 mm. long.
Pleurothallis ruscifolia is an extremely variable species in its
floral segments.
Guatemala (fide Schlechter).
Pleurothallis samacensis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 22. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Samac to Coban, October 20,
1920, Harry Johnson 765). Figure 75.
Epiphytic on trees in shady forests, up to 1,450 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala.
Plant small, glabrous, densely caespitose, up to 5 cm. tall, including the
peduncle. Secondary stem almost obsolete, up to 3 mm. long, monophyllous, con-
cealed by chartaceous whitish sheaths. Leaf oblanceolate, obtuse and retuse at
the apex with a minute apicule in the sinus, up to 1.6 cm. long including the slender
sulcate petiole, up to 4 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, filiform, supporting a lax
2-3-flowered raceme, up to 4.7 cm. long including the raceme, provided with
several infundibuliform bracts. Floral bracts tubular-cucullate, scarious, about
1 mm. long. Flowers purplish, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are about
3 mm. long. Dorsal sepals linear-triangular or narrowly lanceolate, terminating
in a slender caudate tip, 3-nerved, with glandular-ciliate margins, about 5 mm.
long. Lateral sepals free almost to the base, obliquely triangular-lanceolate,
caudate-tipped, lightly carinate along the one nerve, margin glandular-ciliate,
about 4 mm. long and 1 mm. wide. Petals with the lower third cuneate-oblong,
dentate and aristate where they are abruptly narrowed to form the linear-caudate
terminal two-thirds, 1-nerved, about 4 mm. long and 0.5 mm. wide. Lip about
2.25 mm. long, somewhat angled on each side at the base, gradually dilated to
about the middle, when it becomes expanded into an obovate lightly retuse
lamina with unevenly denticulate margins; basal third of the disk ornamented
with a flabellate callus. Column 2 mm. long, dilated upwards, entire, cucullate
at the summit.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis segoviensis Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 223. 1855.
P. Wercklei Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 9: 213. 1911. P. Johannis
Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 17: 140. 1921 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Alta Verapaz, Pansamala, October, 1885, H. von Turckheim 801).
P. amethystina Ames, Sched. Orch. 4: 14. 1923 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Alta Verapaz, Samac, October 20, 1920, Harry Johnson 878).
Epiphytic on trees in dense or open forests, up to 1,800 meters
alt. Widespread and rather common from Mexico to Panama.
Plant erect or ascending, densely caespitose, glabrous except for the flowers,
up to 22 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender, monophyllous, 1.5-5 cm. long, con-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 251
cealed by tubular closely appressed scarious sheaths. Leaf erect, oblanceolate-
ligulate, obtuse and retuse-denticulate at the apex, coriaceous, 5-13 cm. long,
5-14 mm. wide. Raceme solitary, slender, loosely few- to many-flowered, up to
17 cm. long including the filiform peduncle, mostly exceeding the leaf; peduncle
provided with several inconspicuous closely appressed tubular sheaths. Floral
bracts tubular, shortly acuminate, 3-5 mm. long. Pedicellate ovary up to 8 mm.
long, slender, arcuate. Flowers varying in color from yellow-green with brown
markings to deep purplish-red. Sepals somewhat united at the base, 3-nerved
with the central nerve dorsally carinate. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, acute-apiculate,
slightly canaliculate, with somewhat revolute margins, more or less pilose intra-
marginally on the inner surface, 5.2-10 mm. long, 1.5-3.2 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals united to form a narrowly elliptic lamina that is bidentate at the apex;
lamina with somewhat revolute margins, more or less pilose intramarginally on
the inner surface, 5-10 mm. long, when spread out 2.2-4.2 mm. wide. Petals
obliquely oblong to oblong-quadrate, obtuse to subacute-apiculate, glabrous, 1-
nerved, 2.2-3.5 mm. long, 0.75-2 mm. wide. Lip with the short claw 2.5-4 mm.
long, glabrous, unequally 3-lobed, slightly arcuate-decurved; lateral lobes arising
from the base, porrect, usually upturned, obliquely oblong to lanceolate-falcate,
obtuse to acute at the apex, broadly rounded or truncate at the base, up to 2.2 mm.
long and 0.75 mm. wide; middle lobe oblong, broadly rounded at the apex, 3-nerved,
2.3-3.5 mm. long, 0.7-1.5 mm. wide, with two mammillate thickenings on the
disk at the base and two intramarginal thickened carinae arising at the lateral
lobes and extending to above the middle of the disk. Column produced into a
short foot at the base, lightly curved, dilated above, 2.5-3 mm. long; clinandrium
minutely serrulate.
The flowers of this species are variable in both coloration and
size. The size differences range from the small-flowered form
segregated as P. Johannis to the large-flowered forms segregated
as P. amethystina and P. Wercklei. The lateral lobes of the lip are
also variable in their development. In some specimens the lateral
lobes are mere protuberances while in others the lobes are slender-
falcate and well developed. Because of this series of growth develop-
ment of the lateral lobes of the lip and the various sizes found in
the floral segments, many segregates have been derived from this
species.
Alta Verapaz: Pansamala, Turckheim 801A. Near Coban, Turck-
heim II 1839. Coban, Turckheim 3997. — Guatemala: About eighteen
miles from Guatemala City, on road to Mataquescuintla, Lewis 104. —
Huehuetenango: Southeast of Maxbal, about seventeen miles north
of Barillas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48891. — Quezal-
tenango: Along old road between Finca Pirineos and Patzulin,
Standley 86982.
Pleurothallis segregatifolia Ames & C. Schweinf. Sched. Orch.
8: 33. 1925.
252 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,500 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala
and Costa Rica.
Plant dwarf, caespitose, up to 7.5 cm. tall; roots stout for the plant, fibrous,
flexuous, glabrous. Secondary stems minute, 4-6 (rarely up to 9) mm. long, uni-
foliate, invested below with tubular scarious sheaths. Leaf suborbicular to obovate
or cuneate-spatulate, 6 (rarely 12 mm.) long, commonly 4-5 mm. wide, minutely
tridenticulate at the rounded apex, more or less cuneate below, margined, fleshy-
coriaceous, often tinged with purple, mid-nerve dorsally carinate; petiole up to
6 mm. long, channelled, gradually merging into the cuneate leaf-base. Inflores-
cences much surpassing the leaf, one to several; peduncles filiform, usually about
3 cm. long, up to 4.5 cm. long below the raceme. Raceme suberect or flaccid,
up to 3 cm. long, loosely flowered; rachis fractiflex. Floral bracts minute, infundi-
buliform. Flowers as many as eleven, purplish, membranaceous. Dorsal sepal
elliptic-oblong, terminating in a hollow obtuse horn, dorsally carinate, up to 4.2
mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide, 3-nerved. Lateral sepals obliquely semiovate, con-
nate to about their middle, forming a distinct mentum with the column-foot,
about 3.8 mm. long, free part about 1.5 mm. wide below, obtuse at the cucullate
tip, dorsally carinate, 2-nerved. Petals linear-falcate, about 3 mm. long, less
than 1 mm. wide above the middle, obtuse to subacute, 1-nerved. Lip ligulate
and recurved in natural position, 3-lobed near the apex with the lateral lobes
erect, when expanded lanceolate-obovate in outline, about 2.8 mm. long (excluding
the claw), 1.2 mm. wide above the middle, 3-nerved; lateral lobes semi cuneate
with a rounded apex; mid-lobe orbicular, recurved. Column about 2 mm. long,
arcuate, terminating in a petaloid 3-lobulate wing.
Chiquimula: Cerro Tixixi (Tishishi), 3-5 miles north of Jocotan,
Steyermark 31554.
Pleurothallis sertularioides (Sw.) Spreng. Syst. Veg. 3: 721.
1826. Epidendrum sertularioides Sw. Prodr. 122. 1788.
Creeping on trees in forests, usually at low elevations, up to 900
meters alt. Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant with a slender creeping rhizome that gives rise at frequent intervals
to short unifoliate secondary stems; rhizome concealed by short scarious-fibrous
sheaths, about 1 mm. in diameter. Secondary stems short, ascending, about 3 mm.
long, unifoliate, concealed by a solitary sheath; sheath scarious-fibrous, brownish,
subtruncate and apiculate at the apex. Leaf linear-oblanceolate to linear-spatulate,
obtuse, much narrowed below, up to 4 cm. long and 4 mm. wide above the middle.
Peduncles usually two, from the summit of the secondary stem, filiform, 1- or 2-
flowered. Floral bracts minute, infundibuliform, apiculate. Flowers yellowish,
with filiform pedicels that exceed the bracts. Sepals triangular-lanceolate, acute,
3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, 4-5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide
below the middle; dorsal sepal sulcate below, recurved above; lateral sepals slightly
oblique, united near the base to form a short mentum with the column-foot. Petals
falcate-lanceolate, acuminate, 1-nerved, 3-3.5 mm. long, 1 mm. or slightly less
wide near the base. Lip fleshy, linear, narrowed at the fleshy-thickened obtuse
apex, 3-nerved, provided just above the base with a minute tooth-like upcurved
lobule, 2.5-3 mm. long, about 0.8 mm. wide. Column about 2 mm. long, with
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 253
a short foot about 1 mm. long, obscurely 3-lobulate at the apex with the apical
margin denticulate. Capsule obovoid, strongly 3-angled, 5-7 mm. long.
Although they are quite distinct florally, this species and P. repens
are extremely close vegetatively. They differ somewhat in the two
following vegetative characters. The leaves of P. repens are ap-
parently glaucous on the lower surface and the sheaths of the rhizome
and secondary stems are shortly acuminate at the oblique apex.
On the other hand, the leaves of P. sertularioides are grass-green on
both sides and the apex of the sheaths is subtruncate with a rigid
mucro terminating a dorsal keel.
Izabal: Cerro San Gil, along Rio Bonita, Steyermark 41725.
Shores of Lago Izabal, opposite San Felipe, between San Felipe and
mouth of Rio Juan Vicente, Steyermark 39678. — Pete*n: Along Rio
San Martin, betwen Cerro Ceibal and Ceibal, Steyermark 46175.
Pleurothallis setosa C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ.
9: 64. 1941.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 500 meters alt. Rare in British
Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant very small, densely caespitose, 2-4 cm. tall; roots numerous, filiform,
white, fibrous. Stems minute, slender, terete, up to 5 mm. long, concealed by a
scarious tubular sheath, unifoliate. Leaf shortly petioled, linear to narrowly
oblong-elliptic, acute to subacute at the minutely tridenticulate apex, dark green,
fleshy-coriaceous, longitudinally sulcate, up to 3 cm. long and 2.5 mm. wide.
Raceme 2- to 7-flowered, flowers dichotomously arranged; peduncle and rachis
filiform, conspicuously setose-pubescent, subtended at the base by a scarious
sheath. Floral bracts minute, scarious. Flowers densely flecked with maroon,
about equaling the leaves. Dorsal sepal free, lanceolate, long-caudate, concave
below, 3-nerved with the nerves dorsally carinate, sparingly provided with long
hairs on the outer surface, 9-10 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide below the middle.
Lateral sepals abruptly caudate with the caudae thickened, connate to a point
beyond the middle into a deeply concave lamina that is 4-nerved with the nerves
dorsally carinate, oblique at the base, provided with long hair on the outer surface,
the free part obliquely ovate, 9-11.5 mm. long. Petals long for the genus, lanceo-
late, subfalcate, long-caudate, prominently 1-nerved with the nerve red, with
the central margins irregularly fimbriate, 6-6.5 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide
near the base. Lip obovate in outline, somewhat obscurely 3-lobed, deeply and
densely fimbriate except near the base, 5-6 mm. long, up to 4.5 mm. wide, broadly
rounded in front, cuneate at the base with the margins smooth, slightly con-
stricted below the middle; disk 3-nerved with the mid-nerve long and thickened
near the apex, divided into two portions, with the basal part minutely biauriculate,
smooth at the base then abruptly callose-thickened through the center, the thick-
enings soon dividing into two branches that extend to the tips of the converging
keels, with the upper part much larger and suborbicular, densely studded with
papillae. Column up to 3.3 mm. long, rather broadly winged above the base,
254 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
with a pair of thin longitudinal keels near the center. Capsule conspicuously
dilated.
The conspicuously setose-pubescent peduncle and rachis of this
species are characteristic. It appears to be allied to P. samacensis
but has much narrower leaves and larger flowers with dissimilar
lateral sepals.
Izabal: La Vigia, between Bananera and Quirigua, U. F. Co.
R. R., Margaret W. Lewis 174.
Pleurothallis stenostachya Reichb. f. Linnaea 18: 399. 1844.
P. minutiflora S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 23: 286. 1888 (type: Guate-
mala, Chocon Forests, S. Watson). P. myriantha Lehm. & Kranzl.
in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 26: 445. 1899 (type: Guatemala, epiphytic
around Matasano and Retalhuleu, June 19, 1882, Lehmann 1598).
Figure 78.
Epiphytic on trees in dense humid forests, up to 900 meters alt.
Widespread and fairly common from Mexico to Panama.
Plant rather small, glabrous, densely caespitose, 3-9.5 cm. tall. Secondary
stem slender, monophyllous, 1.5-3.5 cm. long, concealed by several tubular whitish
scarious sheaths that are up to 2 cm. long and fugaceous. Leaf with a rather
long slender petiole, obovate to linear-spatulate, obtuse and minutely tridenticu-
late at the apex, coriaceous, conspicuously marginate, 1.5-8 cm. long including
the petiole, 4-10 mm. wide. Peduncles one to several, fasciculate, filiform, few-
to many-flowered, up to 1.5 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, dis-
tichous, scarious, 1-1.5 mm. long. Flowers greenish or orange-yellow, marked
with purple, with slender pedicels that are 2-4 mm. long. Sepals ovate to oblong-
elliptic, obtuse to acute, concave, 1-nerved, somewhat dorsally carinate along the
nerve, 1.2-2.2 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique, united for a
short distance at the base. Petals obliquely lanceolate, subacute to acute, 1.3-1.5
mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip ovate-oblong to obovate-oblong, broadly
rounded or obtuse at the apex, fleshy-thickened, minutely papillose-ciliate along
the margins and on the disk, 1-1.2 mm. long, 0.5-0.75 mm. wide. Column short,
broadly winged, about 0.5 mm. long. Capsule obliquely obovoid, conspicuously
3-angled, about 4 mm. long.
The fruits of this species are conspicuously 3-angled.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 7783. — Izabal: 40 miles
from coast, Lewis 3. Quirigua, Porter 25. Vicinity of Quirigua,
FIG. 78. Pleurothallis Broadwayi. Flowering plant (X 1) ; 1, flower, front-side
view, partly spread open (with lip detached; X 5); 2, lip (X 10); 3, petal (X 10).
P. stenostachya. Flowering plant (X %); 1, flower (X 11); 2, petal (X 13);
3, lip (X 16); 4, lateral sepals (X 10). P. hondurensis. Flowering plant (X %);
1, column and petal (X 7); 2, anther with pollinia in situ (much enlarged); 3, pol-
linia (much enlarged); 4, lip, spread out (X 5); 5, lateral sepals (X 3); 6, petal
(X 7); 7, flower, side view (X 3). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
FLCUROTHALLJS
255
256 FIELD IANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Standley 24197 (in part). Between Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas,
Steyermark 42018. — Pete"n: Naachtun, Lundell 1156.
Pleurothallis triangulipetala Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus.
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10, no. 4: 77, pi. 7. 1942 (type: Guatemala,
Dept. Sacatepe"quez, Barranca Hondo, lower slopes of Volcan de
Fuego, alt. about 1,800 meters, December 16, 1938, P. C. Standley
60278). Figure 74.
Epiphytic on trees. Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant small, erect, caespitose, up to 8 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender, mono-
phyllous, 1.8-5 cm. long, concealed by three to six lepanthiform sheaths; sheaths
tubular, acute-apiculate at the dilated apex, hispid along the prominent costae
and apical margin. Leaf with a short sulcate petiole, suborbicular to broadly
elliptic, obtuse and retuse at the apex with a cusp in the sinus, marginate, glabrous,
coriaceous, 2-3 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide. Peduncles several, filiform, glabrous,
about 1.5 cm. long including the few-flowered raceme. Floral bracts ovate-
cucullate, subacute, scarious, tinged with purple, about 2 mm. long. Flowers
small, purplish white, with slender pedicels that are about as long as the bracts.
Dorsal sepal triangular-ovate, obtuse, 3-nerved, sparingly ciliate on the apical
margins, 4 mm. long, 2.2 mm. wide at the base. Lateral sepals united almost to
the apex to form a broadly elliptic lamina; lamina obtusely bifid, 4 mm. long, 2.5
mm. wide, 6-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve of each sepal, sparingly
ciliate on the apical margins. Petals obliquely triangular, shortly acuminate,
entire, 1-nerved, 1.5 mm. long, about 0.7 mm. wide at the base. Lip arcuate-
decurved in natural position, linear-oblong when spread out, obtuse, slightly
dilated below the middle with the margins somewhat upturned, apical margins
deflexed, silky-pubescent along the margins, with a small incurved auricle on each
side at the base, 2.5 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide; disk obscurely 3-nerved, provided
in the middle of the lower third with a linear callus that divides and extends above
the middle of the lip as two slightly thickened ridges. Column short, stout, fleshy,
irregularly serrate at the apex, 1.5 mm. long, with a broad foot about 1 mm. long.
Capsule subglobose, about 5 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to P. Blaisdellii and P. gnomonifera
Ames, a Costa .Rican and a Panamanian species, but differs from
those species mainly by its entire triangular petals and essentially
glabrous sepals.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Pleurothallis tribuloides (Sw.) Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 6.
1830. Epidendrum tribuloides Sw. Prodr. 123. 1788.
Epiphytic on trees in dense damp forests, up to 1,300 meters alt.
Widespread and fairly common in the West Indies, Mexico and Cen-
tral America.
Plant erect or spreading, densely caespitose, up to 8 cm. tall. Secondary
stem almost obsolete, less than 8 mm. long, monophyllous, concealed by white
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 257
scarious imbricating sheaths. Leaf obovate to oblanceolate, broadly rounded or
obtuse and retuse at the apex with a cusp in the sinus, subcoriaceous, sulcate,
glabrous, up to 7 cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a compact 1-3-flowered
raceme that is less than 1 cm. long including the abbreviated peduncle, provided
with loose white scarious sheaths and bracts. Flowers fleshy, brick-red or deep
maroon. Sepals granular-ciliate on the outer surface, coarsely ciliate along the
margins, with papillae scattered over the inner surface above the middle; dorsal
sepal oblong-lanceolate to somewhat oblanceolate, subobtuse to acute at the apex,
3-nerved, concave below the middle, 5-8 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide near the slightly
decurrent base; lateral sepals united into an ovate-triangular, acute lamina that
is 6-nerved, concave, 5-8 mm. long and 3-4 mm. wide. Petals obliquely rhombic-
obovate, acute, fleshy-thickened and somewhat dorsally carinate above the middle,
2-nerved, 2.7-3 mm. long, 1.2-1.5 mm. wide. Lip arcuate-decurved and sulcate
in natural position, linear when spread out, with an obtuse angle or tooth on
each side below the middle, broadly rounded at the apex, 3-nerved, ciliate along
the margins especially at the apex, 2.8-3.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide; disk fleshy-
thickened just in front of the short claw, fleshy-thickened along the upturned
margins above the lateral teeth. Column slender, arcuate, narrowly winged
above on the anterior margins, tridentate at the apex, 2-2.5 mm. long, with a
foot about 1.5 mm. long. Capsule globose, densely and profusely echinate, 6-8
mm. long.
Of all the Guatemalan species of Pleurothallis this is the only
one that has densely echinate capsules.
Izabal: La Vigia, between Bananera and Quirigua, Lewis 175.
Pleurothallis Tuerckheimii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 292.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, near Coban, November,
1907, H. von Turckheim II 1996).
Epiphytic on trees and occasionally on logs and terrestrial in
rain forests, up to 2,600 meters alt. Widespread and fairly common
from Mexico to Panama.
Plant erect, rather large, glabrous, 1.5-7 dm. tall. Secondary stem stout,
terete, monophyllous, up to 25 cm. long, provided with two large tubular sheaths;
sheaths complanate, deep brown, glossy, scarious, subacute, fugaceous, up to
10 cm. long. Leaf oval, oblong-elliptic or lanceolate, obtuse and minutely tri-
dentate at the apex, coriaceous, 4-25 cm. long, 2-7.5 cm. wide. Raceme solitary,
loosely many-flowered, exceeding the leaves, up to 35 cm. long including the stout
peduncle, with a large conspicuous tubular complanate spathaceous sheath at
the base; sheath reddish brown, glossy, subcoriaceous, slightly falcate, 2-8 cm.
long. Floral bracts deltoid-cucullate, obtuse to subacute, shorter than the pedicels.
Pedicels slender, about 8 mm. long. Flowers large, reddish brown and white.
Sepals minutely papillose-puberulent on the outer surface, with the apical margins
somewhat involute, brown. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, acuminate, concave below
the middle, 3-nerved, somewhat dorsally carinate along the nerves, 1.3-2.5 cm.
long, 4-7 mm. wide. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form a bifid
lamina; lamina elliptic-oblong, longitudinally concave, 4- to 6-nerved, dorsally
carinate along the central nerve of each sepal, 1.3-2.7 cm. long, 5-9 mm. wide,
258 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
with the free parts lanceolate and acuminate. Petals white, oblong-obovate,
broadly rounded at the apex, slightly oblique, with three conspicuous brown
nerves, concave-cucullate at the apex, papillose above the middle on the outer
surface, 5-9.5 mm. long, 2.8-4.2 mm. wide. Lip with an arcuate short claw,
linear-lanceolate, subacute to acuminate, fleshy-thickened, with the margins
strongly reflexed, conspicuously auriculate at the base with the auricles extending
as narrow wings part way up the lip, 5.5-10 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide near the
base when spread out; disk 3-nerved, with a thickened bilamellate papillose callus
between the auricles extending as inconspicuous intramarginal keels above the
middle of the lip; auricles thin, broadly rounded, suberect, up to 2.5 mm. long.
Column short, 4-toothed at the apex, 3-4 mm. long, with a foot 1.5-2 mm. long.
Capsule oblong-cylindrical, about 2 cm. long.
This species is closely allied to P. pachyglossa, from which it is
easily distinguished, in part, by the broader leaves, larger sheaths
on the stem and the large spathaceous sheath at the base of the
inflorescence.
Alta Verapaz: Finca Mocca, Johnson 51. Between Coban and
San Pedro, Johnson 756. Mountains along the road between Tactic
and the divide on the road to Tamahu, Standley 91358. Large
swamp east of Tactic, Standley 92390. Along Rio Carcha, between
Coban and San Pedro Carcha, Standley 89892. — Chiquimula:
Middle slopes of Montana Norte to El Jutal, on Cerro Brujo, south-
east of Concepcion de las Minas, Steyermark 31025. — Zacapa: Cloud
forest, on summit of Sierra de las Minas, in vicinity of Finca Planados,
Steyermark 29998. Sierra de las Minas, between Loma El Picacho
and Cerro de Monos, Steyermark 42903. Sierra de las Minas, slopes
of Monte Virgen, around summit of mountain, Steyermark 42627.
Pleurothallis violacea A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3,
3: 16. 1845.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,500 meters alt. Rare in Mexico and
Guatemala.
Plant erect or ascending, glabrous, caespitose, 7-19 cm. tall. Secondary stem
slender, rigid, monophyllous, 2.5-6.5 cm. long, provided with two scarious loosely
fitting sheaths. Leaf lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, tinged with purple,
4-12.5 cm. long, 0.9-2.5 cm. wide. Racemes 1-several, subsessile, fasciculate,
few-flowered, up to 2.8 cm. long, enclosed at the base by a short conduplicate
bract that is up to 13 mm. long. Floral bracts infundibuliform, apiculate, scarious,
purple-tinged, 1.8-3 mm. long. Flowers reddish-purple tinged with green, with
slender pedicellate ovaries that are about 3 mm. long. Sepals fleshy-thickened,
minutely papillose on the outer surface, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve;
dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate, acuminate, canaliculate, 3-nerved, 6-7 mm. long,
1.5-2 mm. wide; lateral sepals connate almost to the apex, soon separating nearly
to the base, obliquely ovate, acute-apiculate and upcurved at the apex, concave,
3-nerved, 6-7 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Petals obliquely linear, obtuse and
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 259
crenulate or apiculate at the apex, about 3 mm. long and 0.25 mm. wide. Lip
with a slender claw, fleshy-thickened, strongly conduplicate and arcuate-decurved
in natural position, 3-nerved, minutely papillose on the outer surface above, when
spread out sagittate, somewhat 3-lobed, about 4 mm. long including the claw
and 3 mm. wide across the lateral lobules; lateral lobules oblique, retrorsely ovate,
obtuse; apical lobule fleshy-thickened, triangular-semiterete; disk ornate with a
thick erect callus at the base, vernicular above the middle; claw with a mammillate
process on each side at the base. Column about 3 mm. long, crenulate at the apex,
with a column foot 12 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical-ovoid, about 1.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Quebraba Seabras, Finca Arenal, Wilson 287.—
Road between Moran and Barbarena, Lewis 210.
Pleurothallis vittata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 73. 1838.
Epiphytic on trees in dense humid forests, up to 1,270 meters
alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Honduras and Panama.
Plant up to 27 cm. tall, from a thick creeping rhizome; rhizome about 3 mm.
thick, concealed by fibrous-scarious sheaths. Secondary stem erect-ascending,
terete, about 2 mm. thick, unifoliate, up to 15 cm. long, provided with several
long clasping fibrous-scarious sheaths. Leaf linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic,
obliquely tridenticulate at the obtuse apex, coriaceous, often tinged with red,
up to 12.5 cm. long and 2.5 cm. wide, exceeding the inflorescences. Peduncles one
or several, from the apex of the secondary stem, short, rigid, stout, up to 6.5 cm.
long including the few-flowered raceme, subtended by several scarious sheaths.
Floral bracts infundibuliform, acute, surrounding the rachis, about as long as the
pedicellate ovaries. Flowers glaucous yellow, stained or marked with reddish
brown, with stout pedicellate ovaries. Sepals fleshy, puberulent on the outer sur-
face. Dorsal sepal free, oblong-elliptic to oblong-oblanceolate, acute to subobtuse,
very fleshy-thickened and somewhat recurved above the middle, 3-nerved, 5.5-8
mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals connate to near the apex to form a bifid
lamina; lamina broadly elliptic, ciliate on the margins, forming a short mentum
at the base, 5.5-8 mm. long, 2.8-5 mm. wide about the middle. Petals rhombic-
obovate, from a narrow base, broadly obtuse at the apex, with the margins more
or less laciniate, 1-nerved, 1.5-2.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide at widest point.
Lip fleshy, oblong-elliptic in outline, obtuse, obscurely 3-lobed, with the lateral
lobes minute and erect, with a minute auricle on each side at the base, 3-nerved,
2-4 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide; disk with a fleshy sulcate callus between the lateral
lobes. Column about 3 mm. long, denticulate at the apex, with a prominent con-
cave foot.
No specimen has been seen from Guatemala. However, since
that country is within the area of distribution of this species it is
included here.
Pleurothallis xanthophthalma (Reichb. f.) L. 0. Wms. Bot.
Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 8: 144. 1940. Restrepia xanthophthalma
Reichb. f. Hamb. Gartenzeit. 21: 300. 1865. R. Lansbergii "Reichb.
f." ex Hook. Bot. Mag. 87: t. 5257. 1861 (type: Guatemala).
260 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees in humid forests, up to 2,300 meters alt.
Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant erect, caespitose, glabrous, 6-20 cm. tall. Secondary stem slender,
monophyllous, 3-13 cm. long, entirely concealed by sheaths; sheaths distichous,
imbricating, infundibuliform, somewhat inflated, dorsally appressed into sharp
keels, acute-apiculate, whitish, scarious, the lowermost flecked with purple. Leaf
bright green, often purplish beneath or mottled with purple, ovate-lanceolate to
linear-oblong, obtuse and obliquely tridenticulate at the apex, coriaceous, 4-8 cm.
long, 1.2-2.8 cm. wide. Peduncles one to several, filiform, up to 1.5 cm. long,
provided with two short hyaline sheaths, enclosed at the base by the uppermost
sheath of the stem. Flowers nodding, white or pale greenish yellow, spotted
with purple. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular-lanceolate, terminated by terete
fleshy tips, canaliculate, 5-nerved, 8.5-13 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide at the
base. Lateral sepals united almost to the apex to form an oblong-elliptic lamina;
lamina bifid, with the teeth subacute, with the apical margins minutely involute,
concave below the middle, usually 12-nerved, 8.5-12 mm. long, 5-6 mm. wide.
Petals linear-filiform, dilated into a terete fleshy apex, 3-nerved, 6-9 mm. long,
about 0.3 mm. wide. Lip 3-lobed, 5-6 mm. long including the short claw, about
2.5 mm. wide across the lateral lobes; central portion or lobe ovate-lanceolate,
obtuse, irregularly denticulate along the margins; lateral lobes much smaller than
the central lobe, triangular-linear, terminated by filiform caudae, porrect, up to
2.5 mm. long; disk transversely thickened just in front of the claw, prominently
3-nerved, with the lateral nerves lightly carinate, thickened along the mid-nerve
at the base. Column arcuate, terete at the base, dilated above, 3-4 mm. long.
Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, strongly ribbed, about 1.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 4057. Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim.
Along Rio Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha, Standley
90140. — Baja Verapaz: Salama, Johnston 1820. — Guatemala: Moca,
Gordon-Smith Finca, and road to Mataquescuintla, eighteen miles
from Guatemala, Lewis 70. — Quezaltenango: Along road between
Finca Pirineos and Calahuache', Steyermark 35018. — San Marcos:
Finca El Porvenir, on Potrero Matasan along Rio Cabus, Volcan
Tajumulco, Steyermark 37572.
Pleurothallis yucatanensis Ames & Schweinf. Bot. Mus.
Leafl. Harv. Univ. 1, no. 2: 4. 1932.
Epiphytic on trees and on logs near sea level. Rare in Mexico,
British Honduras and Guatemala.
Plant small, glabrous, up to 5 cm. tall; rhizome shortly repent, concealed
by imbricating scarious-nervose sheaths; roots fibrous, white, glabrous, stout for
the plant. Secondary stems very short, approximate, ascending, unifoliate, up
to 2.5 mm. long, concealed by whitish scarious fugaceous sheaths. Leaf shortly
petioled, elliptic to oblanceolate, minutely tridenticulate at the rounded to obtuse
apex, fleshy-coriaceous, yellowish green, up to 1.5 cm. long including the short
sulcate petiole, up to 5 mm. wide. Peduncle solitary, filiform, up to 3 cm. long,
provided with a small solitary tubular sheath; raceme laxly 1- to 3-flowered. Floral
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 261
bracts loose, infundibuliform, apiculate, about 1 mm. long, shorter than the
pedicels. Flowers small, delicate, yellow, with slender persistent pedicels, much
exceeding the leaves. Sepals triangular-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, free, 1-nerved
or obscurely 3-nerved, concave below, recurved at the apex, 2.5-4 mm. long,
about 1 mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals oblique, dorsally carinate. Petals
linear-triangular, acuminate, slightly oblique and a little constricted above the
middle, 1-nerved, 2.3-3 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide below the middle. Lip
bright yellow, articulate with the column-foot, somewhat arcuate in natural
position with the margins of the lower half upturned; lamina elliptic-oblong in
outline when spread out, somewhat dilated below the middle, broadly rounded
at the apex, minutely auriculate at the base, 3-nerved, 1.4-2 mm. long, 0.5-0.8
mm. wide below the middle. Column short, slender below, broadly winged above,
1.2-1.5 mm. long, with a foot about 0.7 mm. long; apical pair of wings subquadrate
with irregularly erose-denticulate margins.
This species is allied to P. Grobyi, but differs from that species
in its petals and ecarinate, not carinate, lip. It is allied, in habit
and appearance, to P. sertularioides but differs from that species in
its racemose inflorescences and simple lip.
Izabal: Virginia, Margaret W.Lewis 26 (in part). Near Puerto
Barrios and at La Vigia, between Bananera and Quirigua, Lewis 26
(in part).
EXCLUDED AND OBSCURE SPECIES
Pleurothallis leptopetala Cogn. in Urban, Symb. Antill. 6: 693.
1910.
The two specimens cited below are sterile, but they are an identical
match, vegetatively, with this West Indian and northern South
American species. However, since no flowers are present, their
identity can not be determined with finality. The flowers of P.
pansamalae are almost identical with those of this species. However,
the leaf difference immediately separates them. Pleurothallis lepto-
petala is briefly described as follows: Plant slender, caespitose, up to
20 cm. tall. Stems filiform, variable in size, 12.5 cm. or less long,
unifoliate. Leaf linear to narrowly elliptic, erect or spreading, sessile,
up to 9 cm. long. Pedicels abbreviated, several, 1-flowered. Flowers
small, yellowish or rarely whitish. Dorsal sepal free, ovate. Lateral
sepals united their entire length, ovate. Petals linear. Lip ovate.
Quezaltenango: On tree in damp quebrada, along old road between
Finca Pirineos and Patzulin, alt. 1,200-1,400 meters, Standley 86908.
Epiphyte on tree trunk, along Quebrada San Geronimo, Finca
Pirineos, lower south-facing slopes of Volcan Santa Maria, between
Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache', alt. 1,300-2,000 meters,
Steyermark 33454.
262 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Pleurothallis muscifera Lindl. Bot. Reg. 28: Misc. 79. 1842 (type:
Guatemala, Skinner}.
An examination of a drawing of the flower and a photograph of
the plant in the Lindley Herbarium shows that it is very probably
the same as P. xanthophthalma. If it were possible to examine the
type of P. muscifera these two concepts probably would be found to
be conspecific.
Pleurothallis jungermannioides Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 11: 42.
1912 (type: Guatemala, in the tangled roots of Stelis patula Schltr.
near Pansamala, 3,800 feet, Turckheim [under No. 698]).
It has not been possible to verify the identity of this plant. A
floral analysis of the type strongly suggests the flowers of Pleuro-
thallis lancilabris, except for the small size. Schlechter states that
the rhizome of his plant had pseudobulbs, a character not known in
the genus Pleurothallis.
A collection of Pleurothallis from the Department of San Marcos
is vegetatively similar to P. arietina Ames, of Costa Rica, but the
flowers are differently colored (according to notes, since no flowers
were present with the specimen). The data are as follows: Above
Finca El Porvenir, between "Todos Santos Chiquitos" and "Loma
de la Paloma," south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, alt. 1,400-
1,700 meters, epiphyte on tree, leaves coriaceous, olive-green above
and beneath, petals thick, white with purple stripes, sepals white
spotted with purple, March 8, 1940, Steyermark 37266. This may
represent a new species. The flowers of P. arietina are yellow.
25. MALAXIS Soland. ex Sw.
Inconspicuous, terrestrial, rarely epiphytic, scapose herbs arising from a
slender or pseudobulbous base. Scape bearing one to three leaves about the
middle or near the base, occasionally just below the inflorescence. Inflorescence
a few- to many-flowered subcorymbose, subumbellate or elongate raceme of small
flowers terminating the scape. Sepals free or with the lateral sepals connate,
spreading. Petals narrowly linear to filiform, often strongly coiled. Lip sessile,
usually on the upper part of the flower, erect or spreading, entire or lobed above
and auriculate below, concave. Column short, terete; anther terminal, erect or
incumbent; pollinia four, waxy. Capsule small, ovoid.
This genus consists of about 150 species and attains its greatest
development in Asia and Oceania. It is also widely distributed in
this hemisphere and sparsely so in Europe. Some of the Middle
American species are difficult to distinguish and pose perplexing
taxonomic problems.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 263
Raceme subumbellate or corymbose.
2. Lip tridentate or trilobulate at the apex.
3. Lip with the central tooth or lobule minute, apiculate; unifoliate.
4. Apical lateral teeth or lobules as long as the body of the lip, divaricate.
M. Steyermarkii.
4. Apical lateral teeth or lobules never as long as the body of the lip,
straight M. unifolia.
3. Lip with the central tooth or lobule much larger than the lateral lobes;
bifoliate.
5. Lip conspicuously hastate-auriculate or semilunate at the base.
6. Lip retrorsely semilunate at the base; sepals 7 mm. long or longer.
M. lepanthiflora.
6. Lip sagittate-auriculate at the base; sepals less than 6 mm. long.
M. excavata.
5. Lip without distinct auricles at the base M. brachyrrhynchos.
2. Lip not tridentate or trilobulate at the apex.
7. Lip orbicular or broadest above the middle, rarely orbicular-ovate, more
than 3 mm. wide.
8. Lip orbicular to orbicular-ovate, not auriculate; bifoliate.
M. Parthonii.
8. Lip pandurate, broadest above the middle, auriculate; unifoliate.
M. pandurata.
1. Lip ovate-triangular or orbicular-ovate with the apex thickened, less than
3 mm. wide.
9. Lip cymbiform, with a distinct median carina within the concave-
saccate portion, obtuse; bifoliate M. brachyrrhynchos.
9. Lip not cymbiform, concave or semiorbicular-saccate, acute or acumi-
nate; unifoliate.
10. Leaf near the base of the scape; apex of the lip thickened and
upcurved M. aurea.
10. Leaf above the middle of the scape; apex of the lip thin, not up-
curved M. corymbosa.
Raceme spicate, slender, cylindric, elongate, rarely short.
11. Lip pandurate, broadest above the middle M. pandurata.
11. Lip not pandurate, broadest below the middle.
12. Lip 3-lobed, retrorsely lunate.
13. Apical lobe of lip triangular-ovate to lanceolate; sepals about 4 mm.
long M. acianthoides.
13. Apical lobe of lip broad, trilobulate; sepals 7 mm. or more long.
M. lepanthiflora.
12. Lip not distinctly 3-lobed or lunate.
14. Lip retuse with an apicule in the sinus or trilobulate.
15. Bifoliate; lip trilobulate at the apex with the median lobule larger
than the lateral ones M. brachyrrhynchos.
15. Unifoliate; lip retuse with an apicule in the sinus.
16. Flowers subsessile; pedicels less than 2 mm. long M. Soulei.
16. Flowers on slender pedicels; pedicels more than 3 mm. long.
17. Apical lateral teeth or lobules as long as the body of the lip,
divaricate M. Steyermarkii.
17. Apical lateral teeth or lobules never as long as the body of the
lip, straight M. unifolia.
14. Lip not retuse.
18. Bifoliate; flowers few and rather large; petals more than 4 mm. long,
denticulate along the margins; lip lepidote M. lepidota.
264 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
18. Unifoliate; flowers numerous and small; petals smaller than in the
preceding species, less than 3.5 mm. long; lip not lepidote.
19. Leaf blade tapering and cuneate at the base; lip suborbicular to
transversely elliptic, apiculate, saccate-concave M. carnosa.
19. Leaf blade broadly rounded to deeply cordate at the base; lip
orbicular-cordate to sagittate-triangular, not distinctly apiculate.
20. Raceme short, rarely more than 3 cm. long M. corymbosa.
20. Raceme more than 3.5 cm. long.
21. Lateral sepals connate nearly to their tips; leaf cordate.
M. majanthemifolia.
21. Lateral sepals free almost to the base; leaf broadly rounded
to truncate at the base M. Ehrenbergii.
Malaxis acianthoides (Schltr.) Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.
35: 84. 1922. Microstylis acianthoides Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15:
200. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Solola, Argueta, among bushes
in dense woods, August, 1875, Bernoulli & Carlo 672).
Terrestrial in woods, up to 2,000 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant slender, erect, glabrous, 8-28 cm. tall. Scape from a slender base, some-
what angular, 5-13 cm. long, provided with two sheaths at the base; sheaths loose-
fitting, up to 3 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the scape below, expanded
about the middle of the scape; lamina orbicular-ovate, shortly acuminate, cordate
and clasping the scape at the base, minutely undulate along the margins, light
green, thin-succulent, 1.5-4.5 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide. Raceme slender, rather
densely many-flowered, 3-8.5 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate-deltoid, acute, 1-2
mm. long. Flowers small, green, on slender pedicellate ovaries about 4 mm.
long. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, obtuse, 1-nerved, about 4 mm. long and 2.2 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-elliptic, obtuse, somewhat dilated on the
outer margins, concave, 1-nerved, about 4 mm. long, 2.2-2.8 mm. wide. Petals
with a slender claw, transversely rhombic-lanceolate, very oblique, with the angles
subacute, 1-nerved, about 3 mm. long, 3.5 mm. wide across the angles. Lip 3-lobed,
retrorsely lunate, with a short triangular-ovate to lanceolate apical lobe, papillose-
ciliate along the frontal margin, 1.75-2 mm. long, 4-5 mm. wide across the lateral
lobes; lateral lobes thin, slender, linear, obtuse, falcate; apical lobe fleshy-thickened,
acute to shortly acuminate. Column short, thick. Capsule cylindrical, about
3 mm. long.
This species is distinctive in that the petals are very oblique,
being more or less dolabriform.
Volcan de Pacaya, Johnston & Porter (Comm. Margaret W. Lewis
199).
Malaxis aurea Ames, Sched. Orch. 5: 3. fig. 1. 1923. Micro-
stylis guatemalensis Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 21: 334. 1925 (type:
Guatemala, grasslands, July, 1921, A. Tonduz 742). Figure 79.
Terrestrial in boggy ground of woods or in pasture lands, up to
1,400 meters. Rare in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa
Rica.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 265
Plant slender, erect, glabrous, 10-23 cm. tall. Scape from a tumid rooting
base, angled with the angles conspicuously winged, yellowish green, 9-21.5 cm.
long, provided at the base with a small sheath 1-3 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheath-
ing the scape below, expanded near the base of the scape; lamina orbicular-ovate
to elliptic-oblong, subacute to broadly rounded at the apex, yellowish green, 3.5-
6.5 cm. long, 1.7-3.8 cm. wide. Raceme shortly subumbellate, many-flowered,
5-15 mm. long. Floral bracts minute, deltoid, acute, deflexed, 1-2 mm. long.
Flowers orange-yellow or dark green, on filiform pedicels 7-12 mm. long. Sepals
with strongly revolute margins, oblong-elliptic when spread out, obtuse, 1-3-
nerved, 2.3-3.8 mm. long, about 1.2 mm. wide. Petals linear, obtuse, 1-nerved,
falcate, somewhat coiled, 1.5-2.5 mm. long. Lip fleshy, orbicular-ovate when
spread out, 1.5-3 mm. long, 1.3-2.3 mm. wide below the middle, laterally com-
pressed, strongly complanate-concave, with the margins more or less inflexed,
apex thickened and upcurved, apiculate-rostrate from beneath the tip, when
spread out orbicular-cordate in front of the rostrate appendage, inside with three
thickened ridges, the central one broader than the lateral ones. Column minute.
The flowers of this species suggest those of Malaxis fastigiata
(Reichb. f.) 0. Ktze., a Mexican species, but differ from those
in that the rostrum is short and distinctly upcurved. The unifoliate
habit, with the leaf near the base of the scape, also readily separates
this species.
Huehuetenango: Between Santa Ana Huista and woods of Rancho
Lucas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51352. — Guatemala:
Dry hills near Guatemala, Tonduz 894.
Malaxis brachyrrhynchos (Reichb. f.) Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Wash. 35: 84. 1922, as brachyrrhyncha. Microstylis brachyrrhynchos
Reichb. f. Flora 71: 152. 1888.
Open grassy slopes in pine and hardwood forests, up to 2,700
meters. Rather common in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and
Costa Rica.
Plant erect, glabrous, slender or rather stout, 14-59 cm. tall. Scape from a
thickened pyriform pseudobulb, conspicuously angled, 13-57.5 cm. long, provided
with a loose-fitting sheath at the base; sheath obtuse, 4.5-8 cm. long. Leaves
two, rarely one or three, sheathing the scape below, expanded about the middle
of the scape; lamina suborbicular-ovate to oblong-elliptic, obtuse to shortly
acuminate at the apex, tapering or rounded at the base (rarely cordate), 4-17 cm.
long, 1.8-9.5 cm. wide. Raceme subumbellate to racemose, densely many-
flowered. Floral bracts minute, deltoid to narrowly subulate, acute, 1-2 mm.
long. Flowers green, on slender pedicels 12-18 mm. long. Sepals with the margins
strongly revolute, oblong-elliptic when spread out, obtuse, 3-nerved, 3.2-4.5 mm.
long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Petals filiform, obtuse, 3-4 mm. long. Lip fleshy, ovate-
deltoid in outline, obtuse, obscurely trilobulate or broadly rounded at the apex,
without distinct basal auricles, cucullate-cymbiform with a raised median carina
within the concave-saccate portion, 2.5-4.2 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide below the
middle. Column short, less than 1 mm. long.
A.
•1°
EPIDENDRUM
cooan&nse.
ucnL
tr
FIG. 79. Malaxis aurea. Flowering plant (X 1); flower (bottom, left; X 6);
lateral sepals (X 6); lip (X 8); petal (X 8); dorsal sepal (X 6). Epidendrum
cobanense. Flowering plant (X 1); lip and petals (X 2); lip (X 2); lateral sepal
(X 2). Drawn by Eleonar B. Phillips.
266
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 267
This species is closely allied to Malaxis fastigiata (Reichb. f.)
Kuntze, of Mexico, but differs from that species in that the lip is
shallowly concave-cymbiform instead of being orbicular-saccate and
the apical portion of the lip is broad instead of being conspicuously
constricted into an acuminate deflexed rostrum as in M. fastigiata.
Baja Verapaz: Fatal, Turckheim II 2305. — Chimaltenango: Chi-
chavac, Skutch 543. — Guatemala: Finca Las Conchas, near Guate-
mala City, Lewis 835. — Santa Rosa: Naranjo, Heyde & Lux 4590.
— Solola: Volcan San Pedro, north-facing slopes towards Lago de
Atitlan, above village of San Pedro, Steyermark 47169. Volcan
Santa Clara, north-facing slopes towards Lago de Atitlan, Steyer-
mark 47077. — Common in highlands of Guatemala, Lewis 90A.
Malaxis carnosa (HBK.) C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 10: 32. 1941. Stelis carnosa HBK. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PI. 1:
362. 1816. Microstylis gracilis Ridley, Journ. Linn. Soc. 24: 321.
1888 (type: Guatemala, Amazola and Tinula, Lehmann 1846).
Malaxis calycina (Lindl.) 0. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PL pt. 2: 673. 1891.
Open grassy hills, fields and meadows and in grass under pine
trees, up to 2,800 meters alt. Rather common in Mexico, Guatemala
and Costa Rica; also Peru (fide Ridley).
Plant slender or stout, erect or flexuous above, rather rigid, 1.7-5.3 dm. tall.
Scape from a suborbicular pseudobulbous base, narrowly winged, 10.5-36 cm.
long, provided at the base with a loose-fitting sheath 4-7 cm. long. Leaf solitary,
sheathing the scape below, expanded a little below the middle of the scape; lamina
conduplicate, tapering into the broad sheathing base, ovate-elliptic to elliptic-
oblong, obtuse, 4.5-9.5 cm. long, 1-3.5 cm. wide. Raceme narrowly cylindrical,
loosely many-flowered, 6.5-27 cm. long, 4-6 mm. in diameter. Floral bracts
deltoid, acuminate, about 1 mm. long. Flowers very small, waxy yellow, on short
filiform pedicellate ovaries 1.5-2 mm. long. Dorsal sepal suborbicular-ovate,
obtuse, often convex, 3-nerved, 1.5-2 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals
ovate-elliptic to elliptic, obtuse, oblique, 3-nerved, fleshy-thickened at the apex,
1.5-2 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. wide. Petals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly
lanceolate, narrowly obtuse to acuminate, 1-nerved, 1-1.5 mm. long, 0.4-0.8
mm. wide. Lip suborbicular to transversely elliptical, apiculate, deeply concave,
with the apical margin thickened, 1-1.5 mm. long including the apicule, 1-1.5 mm.
wide; apicule upcurved-suberect. Column short, thick. Capsule subsessile, ob-
liquely globose, conspicuously grooved, about 4 mm. long.
Chimaltenango : Near Tecpam, Skutch 475. Near Chimaltenango,
Lewis 153. — El Progreso: Trail between Finca Piamonte east to
Finca San Miguel, passing Finca Polonia, Finca Delicias, and aldea
Cimiento, Sierra de las Minas, Steyermark 43716. — Guatemala:
Chillani, Rojas 73; Tonduz 743. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Pixpix,
268 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
above San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan, Steyermark 50636.— Alameda,
Johnston 715; 1571. Camino El Sapote, Bernoulli 327.
Malaxis corymbosa (S. Wats.) 0. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PI. pt. 2:
673. 1891. Microstylis corymbosa S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 18:
195. 1882-83.
Damp copses, cold ledges and in leaf mold under trees, up to
2,800 meters alt. Uncommon in Arizona, Mexico, Guatemala and
Honduras.
Plant rather small, slender, glabrous, 6-30 cm. tall. Scape from a globose
swollen base, broadly winged, 5-25 cm. long, provided with a loose-fitting sheath
at the base; sheath greenish, 2-4.3 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the scape
below, expanded mostly above the middle; lamina clasping, cordate-ovate to
rarely elliptic-oblong, obtuse to acute, 2.8-10 cm. long, 1.2-5.5 cm. wide. Raceme
subumbellate to shortly racemose, 1.5-5 cm. long. Floral bracts deltoid, acute,
1-2.5 mm. long. Flowers green or greenish yellow, on slender pedicels that are
6-12 mm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, subobtuse to acute, some-
what longitudinally concave, 3-nerved, dorsally thickened along the mid-nerve,
2.8-4 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide; dorsal sepal recurved at the apex; lateral sepals
oblique. Petals linear-filiform, obtuse, somewhat coiled, 1-nerved, 2-3 mm. long.
Lip rather thin, rarely fleshy, broadly cordate-triangular, narrowly obtuse to
somewhat abruptly acuminate, with a distinct auricle on each side at the base
(rarely without distinct auricles), with the auricles upturned, 2-3 mm. long,
2-3 mm. wide; disk 3-nerved, shallowly concave below the middle, occasionally
with a median rudimentary carina in the concave portion. Column short, about
1 mm. long.
Chimaltenango: Near Tecpam, Skutch 585. — Guatemala: Cerro
de Nubes, Lewis 90B. — Quezaltenango: Near Quezaltenango, Skutch
792. — Sacatepe"quez: Antigua, Johnston 1248.
Malaxis Ehrenbergii (Reichb. f.) 0. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PI. pt. 2:
673. 1891. Microstylis Ehrenbergii Reichb. f. Linnaea 22: 835. 1849.
M. minutiflora Schltr. Bull. Herb. Boiss. 7: 540. 1899 (type: Guate-
mala, Dept. Huehuetenango, between Todos los Santos and Chiantla,
alt. 3,000 meters, September, Seler 2347). Figure 32.
Terrestrial on cool rocky slopes, usually at high altitudes, up to
3,700 meters in Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant slender, erect, glabrous, 15-48 cm. tall. Scape from a swollen base,
terete, with inconspicuous longitudinal wings, 8.5-22 cm. long, provided at the
base with a purplish sheath that is up to 6 cm. long, closely appressed. Leaf
solitary, suberect, sheathing the scape below, expanded about the middle or slightly
above the middle of the scape; lamina suborbicular to ovate or oblong-elliptic,
obtuse, thin, succulent, 3-9.5 cm. long, 1.3-4.5 cm. wide. Raceme loosely many-
flowered, exceeding the leaf, cylindrical, slender, 7.5-26 cm. long, 5-15 mm. in
diameter. Floral bracts subulate, acute, 0.5-1.3 mm. long. Flowers minute,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 269
deep maroon to green, on filiform pedicellate ovaries 2-3 mm. long. Sepals
spreading, linear-ligulate to elliptic, obtuse to subacute, 1-nerved, with strongly
revolute margins, 2-3 mm. long, about 1 mm. wide. Petals linear, narrowly obtuse,
falcate, strongly recurved, with somewhat revolute margins, 1-nerved, about 2 mm.
long, up to 0.4 mm. wide. Lip extremely variable in shape, triangular-hastate
to triangular-lanceolate, hastate-auriculate at the base, acute to acuminate at
the apex, concave with the basal lobules erect, 2-2.5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide;
disk 3-nerved below the middle, with a fleshy callus in the center at the base.
Column short, stout, about 1 mm. long. Capsule obliquely subglobose, about
5 mm. long.
Chimaltenango: Santa Elena, Skutch 452. — Huehuetenango:
Alpine areas in vicinity of Tunima, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 48384. Between San Mateo Ixtatan and Santa Eulalia,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49897. Near Che"mal, Sierra
de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 50324.
Malaxis excavata (Lindl.) 0. Ktze. Rev. Gen. PI. pt. 2: 673.
1891. Microstylis excavata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 51. 1838.
Terrestrial in wet forests, up to 2,300 meters alt. Uncommon
from Mexico through Central America to northern South America.
Plant ascending or erect, glabrous, slender, conspicuously stoloniferous, 12-
41.5 cm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-conical, 2.5-3 cm. long, about 1 cm. in diameter
near the base. Scape from a slender base, narrowly winged, 11-40 cm. long,
provided with two close-fitting sheaths at the base; sheaths 2-5 cm. long. Leaves
two, subopposite, sheathing the scape below, expanded about the middle of the
scape; lamina ovate to lanceolate, acute to abruptly acuminate and often recurved
at the apex, undulate-crisped along the margin, 3.5-11.5 cm. long, 2.5-7.5 cm. wide.
Raceme corymbose, about 1 cm. long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 1-2
mm. long. Flowers green or greenish yellow, on long filiform pedicels 1-2.5 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal triangular-ovate, obtuse to acute, 3-nerved, 3-4.5 mm. long,
1.5-3 mm. wide near the base. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, elliptic-oblong or
lanceolate, obtuse to acuminate, 3-nerved, 3-5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Petals
linear, obtuse, 1-nerved, somewhat coiled, 2.5-4 mm. long, up to 0.5 mm. wide.
Lip fleshy, subquadrate to triangular-ovate, 2-4 mm. long, 2.5-3.5 mm. wide across
the middle, obliquely trilobulate at the apex with the central lobule longest,
sagittate-auriculate at the base with the auricles deltoid to triangular-lanceolate
and suberect; disk excavated in the center by a pair of rather deep elliptical depres-
sions separated by a broad fleshy ridge and bounded in front by a fleshy 3-lobulate
callus. Column short, thick.
Huehuetenango: Cerro Negro, two miles east of Las Palmas,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51680.
Malaxis lepanthiflora (Schltr.) Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.
35: 84. 1922. Microstylis lepanthiflora Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15:
200. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Guatemala, near Guatemala,
January, 1866, Bernoulli & Cario 509).
270 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Terrestrial, at high elevations, up to 3,300 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala.
Plant erect, glabrous, 1.7-5 dm. tall. Scape from a slender ovoid-fusiform
pseudobulb, provided with a small sheath at the base. Leaves two, subopposite,
sheathing the scape below, expanded below the middle of the scape; lamina
erect-spreading, thin, ovate to elliptic, shortly acuminate, rounded to cuneate at
the base, 3-12 cm. long, 2-6 cm. wide. Raceme spicate, rarely subcorymbose,
laxly few-flowered. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the
pedicellate ovaries. Flowers rather large, erect-spreading, with pedicellate ovaries
about 1 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 7-12 mm. long; lateral
sepals oblique, a little narrower than the dorsal sepal. Petals spreading, revolute,
oblique, linear, acute, 4-6 mm. long. Lip 2.5-5 mm. long, retrorsely semilunate at
the base, constricted at the middle with the anterior half dilated to form an oval
trilobulate lamina; lateral lobules merely blunt teeth; apical lobules rather large,
triangular, subacute; disk with the lower half longitudinally excavate with two
linear keels in the depression. Column short, thick.
El Progreso: Sierra de las Minas, hills north of Finca Piamonte,
between Finca Piamonte and summit of Volcan Santa Luisa, Steyer-
mark 43585. — Huehuetenango: Cerro Chiblac, between Finca San
Rafael and Ixcan, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49159.
Cerro Huitz, Mimanhuitz and Yulhuitz, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes,
Steyermark 48616. — Jalapa: Volcan Jumay, north of Jalapa, Steyer-
mark 32382. — Zacapa: Cloud forest, on summit of Sierra de las
Minas, in vicinity of Finca Planados, Steyermark 29982.
Malaxis lepidota (Finet) Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 35: 84.
1922. Microstylis lepidota Finet, Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 54: 531. 1907.
Wet soil in forests, dry rocky slopes, and in lava fields, up to
1,900 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant erect, slender or rather stout, glabrous, 12.5-60 cm. tall. Scape from a
subglobose pseudobulbous base, 3-angled, somewhat winged along the angles,
7.5-40 cm. long, provided at the base with two loose-fitting sheaths 3-9 cm. long.
Leaves two, subopposite, sheathing the scape below, expanded below or about the
middle of the scape; lamina suborbicular, oblong-elliptic or broadly lanceolate,
broadly rounded to subacuminate at the apex, thin, glossy green, somewhat
marginate, 5-16 cm. long, 2.5-10 cm. wide. Raceme loosely few- to many-flowered,
3-20 cm. long, up to 4 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 3-12
mm. long. Flowers dull yellow-green, almost horizontally arranged, on slender
pedicels 1-1.5 cm. long. Sepals suborbicular to broadly ovate, obtuse to abruptly
acute, somewhat concave, with the upper margins often undulate-crenulate, several-
nerved with the nerves often branched, 5-9 mm. long, 4-6 mm. wide; lateral sepals
oblique. Petals varying from rhombic-obovate to rarely linear-oblong, abruptly
acute-apiculate, somewhat concave, crisped-undulate and irregularly dentate-
crenulate along the margins, 3-5-nerved, 4-8 mm. long, 2-5.5 mm. wide. Lip
fleshy-thickened, lepidote, sagittate to cordate-ovate, obtuse, with an obtuse
auricle on each side at the base, with the margins whitish and irregularly undulate-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 271
crisped or lightly verruculose, 3-6 mm. long, 3-5 mm. wide; disk concave on the
lower half, with the upper rim of the depression forming a fleshy-thickened callus,
usually with a linear callus in the depression, which is bifurcate at the base of the
disk. Column short, flat. Capsule pyriform, lightly winged, about 1.5 cm. long.
Guatemala: Road from San Juan Sacatepe"quez, about 36 kilom-
eters from Guatemala City, Lewis 193. — Huehuetenango: Rocky
slopes above La Libertad, on Cerro Pueblo Viejo, Steyermark 50977.
Rocky dry slopes above San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan, Steyermark
50674. — Barranca de los Condenados, Johnston 1982.
Malaxis majanthemifolia Schlecht. & Cham. Linnaea 6: 59.
1831.
On slopes in dense forests and barrancas, occasionally epiphytic,
up to 2,000 meters alt. Rather common from Mexico through
Guatemala to Panama.
Plant ascending or erect, glabrous, 6.5-42 cm. tall. Scape from a slender
base, lightly angled, 4.5-22 cm. long, provided at the base with a loose-fitting
sheath 2.5-9 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the scape below, expanded near
the base of the scape to just below the raceme; lamina cordate-ovate, obtuse to
subacute, strongly clasping the scape, thin, 2.5-12 cm. long, 2-9 cm. wide. Raceme
elongated, cylindrical, many-flowered, 3.5-20 cm. long, 6-15 mm. in diameter.
Floral bracts deltoid to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, about 1 mm. long. Flowers
small, pale or dark green, on slender filiform pedicels 2-8 mm. long. Dorsal sepal
ovate-oblong to elliptic, obtuse to subacute, with the margins somewhat reflexed,
1-nerved, 2-3.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals connate almost to their
tips, obliquely ovate-oblong to elliptic, obtuse, with the margins more or less
reflexed, 1-nerved, 1.3-2.8 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate,
narrowly obtuse to long-acuminate, falcate, 2-3 mm. long, about 0.3 mm. wide.
Lip sagittate, cordate-ovate or ovate-triangular, narrowly obtuse to shortly acumi-
nate, usually with a prominent auricle on each side at the base, 2-3.3 mm. long,
1.5-3 mm. wide across the basal portion; disk 3-nerved, concave and thickened
on the lower median half. Column short, fleshy. Capsule ellipsoid, about 1 cm.
long.
Malaxis majanthemifolia is a species of the greatest variability
in size of plant and flowers. The basal auricles of the lip may vary
in length from mere projections to as long as the main body of the
lip.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1992. — Chimaltenango:
Calderas, Johnston 1898. — Sacatepe"quez : Antigua, Johnston 1247.—
"Guatemala:" Lewis.
Malaxis pandurata (Schltr.) Ames, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 35:
84. 1922. Microstylis pandurata Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 77.
1906. M. Tuerckheimii Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2:
272 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
382. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, in woods near
Pansamala, August, 1886, H. von Tilrckheim 1017).
In wet forests on logs and cliffs or terrestrial, up to 2,100 meters
alt. Rare in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant slender, glabrous, erect, 2-3 dm. tall. Scape from a rather slender base,
narrowly winged along the prominent angles, 17.5-24.5 cm. long, provided with
1-2 sheaths at the base; sheaths 4-4.5 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the
scape below, expanded below the middle; lamina ovate, shortly acuminate, sub-
cordate at the base, deep green above, somewhat glaucous on the lower surface,
7.5-13 cm. long, 4.3-8 cm. wide. Raceme short, subumbellate or spicate, compactly
many-flowered, 2.5-5 cm. long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, about 5 mm.
long. Flowers green, on slender pedicels. Sepals oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate,
obtuse to acute, 1-nerved, concave near the base, with margins often revolute,
4-5 mm. long, 1.5-1.8 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals linear-filiform,
obtuse, 1-nerved, sometimes dilated at the base, 4-7 mm. long. Lip spreading,
subquadrate-pandurate, subtruncate-emarginate at the apex with an apicule in
the sinus, more or less constricted below the middle, distinctly rotundate-auricu-
late on each side at the base with the upper half dilated flabellate, minutely
denticulate on the margins, 4-7 mm. long, 4-7 mm. wide near the apex; disk 5-
nerved with the outer nerves conspicuously branched, concave or concave-cymbi-
form below the middle with a slightly raised carina along the mid-nerve in the
depression. Column stout, fleshy, 1.5 mm. long.
This species is easily distinguished by its subquadrate-pandurate
lip.
Suchitepequez: Volcan Zunil, Skutch 962. Upper forested slopes
of barranca by Loma Grande, above Finca El Naranjo, on Volcan
Santa Clara, Steyermark 46845.
Malaxis Parthonii Morren, Bull. Acad. Roy. Beige 5: 485. t.
1838.
In damp or wet soil in open or dense forests, rarely partly on
trees, up to 2,300 meters alt. Widespread from Mexico, through
Central America and northern South America.
Plant erect, glabrous, rather stout, 14-56 cm. tall. Scape from a slightly
swollen pyriform base, lightly winged, 13-55 cm. long, provided with a loose-
fitting sheath at the base; sheath 3-8 cm. long. Leaves two, subopposite, sheathing
the scape below, expanded mostly below the middle of the scape; lamina spreading,
suborbicular-ovate to broadly elliptic-oblong, acute or shortly acuminate, broadly
rounded at the base, up to 16 cm. long and 8.5 cm. wide. Raceme subumbellate,
densely many-flowered, 1-2 cm. long. Floral bracts deltoid, acuminate, 1-3 mm.
long. Flowers green-yellow or greenish brown, on slender pedicels 5-8 mm. long.
Dorsal sepal linear-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, 3-nerved, with the margins
often revolute, 4-6 mm. long, 1.8-3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals often somewhat
united below the middle, obliquely ovate-elliptic to broadly elliptic, obtuse, with
the margins somewhat revolute, 3.2-4.5 mm. long, 1.8-3 mm. wide. Petals fili-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 273
form, obtuse to acuminate, 1-nerved, strongly coiled, 2.8-4 mm. long. Lip spread-
ing, subreniform, orbicular or broadly ovate, abruptly obtuse or broadly rounded
at the apex, often undulate along the margins, shallowly concave or depressed
below the middle, several-nerved with the nerves often branched, 3-5 mm. long,
3-7.8 mm. wide, mostly wider than long. Column short, stout, about 1 mm. long.
Malaxis Parthonii is distinguished from closely allied species in
Guatemala by its orbiculate type of lip.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1394.- — Chiquimula: Along
Rio Taco, between Chiquimula and Montana Barriol, 3-15 miles
northwest of Chiquimula, Steyermark 30632. — Guatemala: Cerro de
Nubes, Margaret W. Lewis 90 (in part). — Huehuetenango: Canyon
tributary to Rio Trapichillo, between Democracia and canyon of
Chamushu, Steyermark 51217. Vicinity of Maxbal, about seventeen
miles north of Barillas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
48858. Between La Libertad and Paso del Boqueron, along Rio
Trapichillo, Steyermark 51110. — Solola: Pine woods bordering Rio
Bravo, in vicinity of Finca Mocd, south-facing slopes of Volcan
Atitlan, Steyermark 48003. Trail between village of San Pedro,
via San Juan, San Cristobal Buena Vista, and northwestern slopes
of Volcan Santa Clara, Steyermark 47316.
Malaxis Soulei L. O. Wms. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 21: 343. 1934.
Figure 80.
In alpine meadows and moist or dry open forests, often in pine,
spruce or fir forests at high altitudes, up to 3,800 meters alt. Wide-
spread from New Mexico and Arizona through Mexico and Central
America to Panama.
Plant glabrous, slender or stout, erect or ascending, usually flexuous above,
14-50 cm. tall. Scape from a short globose pseudobulbous base, 9.5-32 cm. long,
provided with a loose-fitting sheath that is marginate, obtuse or apiculate, 2-10.5
cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the scape below, expanding about the middle
of the scape; lamina cordate-ovate to elliptic-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse
to obtuse-apiculate, dark blue-green, usually somewhat marginate, 2.5-16 cm.
long, 1.3-6 cm. wide. Raceme densely many-flowered, narrowly cylindrical,
4.5-24 cm. long, 3-10 mm. in diameter; rachis minutely grooved. Floral bracts
deltoid to broadly lanceolate, acute, up to 1.5 mm. long. Flowers minute, yellowish
green, subsessile, on stout pedicels up to 2 mm. long. Sepals ovate-oblong to
elliptic-oblong, obtuse and often minutely cucullate at the apex, 1-3-nerved,
1.5-2.8 mm. long, 0.8-1.3 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique, slightly shorter than
the dorsal sepals. Petals obliquely linear, obtuse, strongly coiled, 1-nerved, 1.3-
2.2 mm. long. Lip suborbicular-ovate to triangular-ovate or subquadrate-ovate,
retuse at the apex with an apicule in the sinus, mostly with a prominent obtuse
auricle on each side at the base, 1.5-2.8 mm. long, 1.3-2.5 mm. wide across the
base; disk 5-nerved, deeply concave. Column short, fleshy. Capsule obliquely
ellipsoid, about 7 mm. long.
FIG. 80. Malaxis Soulei. 1, plant (X 1); 2, flower, front view ( X 6). Drawn
by G. W. Dillon.
274
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 275
This species is distinctive among the Guatemalan Malaxis in
that the dense raceme is very narrowly cylindrical, resembling the
tail of a rat. Except for the solitary leaf it resembles M. myurus,
a Mexican species, in habit. It is superficially distinguished from
M. carnosa in its densely-flowered raceme.
Guatemala: Above San Rafael, along road to Antigua, about
seven miles from Guatemala City, Lewis 192. — Huehuetenango : Top
of Cerro Chemalito, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, 3^ miles west of
Santa Eulalia, Steyermark 49919. La Sierra (Tujimach), across
river from San Juan Atitan, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyer-
mark 51992. — Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark
47472. Volcan Toliman (side facing Volcan Atitlan to summit),
Steyermark 47543.
Malaxis Steyermarkii Correll, Lloydia 10: 210. 1947 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Huehuetenango, Cerro Negro, two miles east of
Las Palmas, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, alt. 1,600-2,000 meters.
Liquidambar-forested slopes along moist ravine, August 31, 1942,
Steyermark 51672). Figure 81.
Found only in Guatemala.
Plant small, glabrous, erect-ascending, 7 cm. tall, provided at the base with
a tubular obtuse sheath and about the middle of the stem with a solitary leaf;
sheath 1.5 cm. long. Leaf cordate-ovate, abruptly subacute, clasping the stem
at the base, silvery green beneath, 3 cm. long, 2.7 cm. wide. Raceme short,
indeterminate, 1.5 cm. or more long. Floral bracts minute, triangular-ovate, acute,
about 1 mm. long. Flowers minute, green, with filiform pedicellate ovaries that
are 7.5 mm. long. Sepals spreading, with conspicuously revolute margins, 1-nerved,
elliptic-oblong to narrowly ovate-elliptic, obtuse, 2 mm. long, 0.8 mm. wide.
Petals strongly recurved, linear, acute, 1-nerved, 1.8 mm. long, 0.3 mm. wide.
Lip with a subquadrate concave lamina, auriculate, unequally 3-lobed at the apex,
about 3 mm. long including the apical lobes, 1.5 mm. wide across the lamina;
mid-lobe small, apiculate; lateral lobes large, obliquely triangular-lanceolate, acute,
conspicuously divaricate, about 1.5 mm. long. Column small, fleshy, about 0.5
mm. long.
The cordate-ovate leaf and unique bicornute lip, with the lateral
lobes strongly divaricate, separate this species from the closely
allied M. unifolia.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Malaxis unifolia Michx. Fl. Bor.-Am. 2: 157. 1803. Figure 82.
In moist soil of woods, up to 2,300 meters alt. Widespread
from Newfoundland to Florida, west to Minnesota, Illinois and
276
FIELD IANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
FIG. 81. Malaxis Steyermarkii. 1, flowering plant (X
Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
; 2, flower (X 9).
Arkansas, along the Gulf Coast through Mexico to Guatemala; also
Jamaica and Cuba.
Plant bright green, erect, glabrous, 6-55 cm. tall. Scape from a bulbous corm,
somewhat angled and winged. Leaf solitary, sheathing the stem below, expanded
near the middle of the scape; lamina sessile and clasping the stem, orbicular-ovate
to ovate-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 1-9 cm. long, 0.6-6.5 cm. wide. Raceme
subcorymbose to slender-elongate, densely flowered, 1-16 cm. long, 0.7-2.5 cm.
in diameter. Floral bracts minute, subulate, 1-3 mm. long. Flowers minute,
FIG. 82. Malaxis unifolia. 1, plants (X 1); 2, flower, front view (X 5);
3, lip, spread out ( X 6) ; 4, petal ( X 7) ; 5, lateral sepal ( X 7) ; 6, dorsal sepal ( X 7) .
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
277
278 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
green, on filiform pedicellate ovaries 3-10 mm. long. Sepals spreading, linear-
oblong to oblong-elliptic, subacute, 1-nerved, with the margins often somewhat
involute, 1.8-3.5 mm. long, 0.8-1.5 mm. wide. Petals narrowly linear to filiform,
strongly recurved, 1.4-3 mm. long. Lip lowermost at maturity, variable in shape,
cordate-deltoid, cordate-ovate, oblong-oval or obliquely oblong-quadrate, 2-4 mm.
long, 1.5-3 mm. wide, cordate or auricled on each side at the base with the lobes
broadly rounded to acute and often deeply notched, 3-lobulate at the apex with
the two lateral lobules more or less elongate, obtuse or acute, the minute median
lobule thickened and apiculate. Column minute, 0.5-1 mm. long, with two short
apical lateral teeth. Capsule obliquely ovoid, 3-6 mm. long.
An additional note may be added concerning the variability of
the lip of this species. The lips of individual flowers on the same
raceme often differ markedly from one another. The lip of some
flowers often has the basal lobes much longer than the apical lateral
lobules, while that of other flowers will be the reverse, having an
almost truncate base with the apical lateral lobules conspicuously
elongate. The lip of some of the flowers is often noticeably con-
stricted near the apex.
Guatemala: About seven miles from Guatemala City, roadside
near San Rafael, Lewis 90C.
EXCLUDED SPECIES
Malaxis monophyllos (L.) Sw. Kongl. Svens. Vetens. Acad. Nya
Handl. 21: 234. pi 3, fig. P. 1800.
Lindley (Bentham Plantas Hartwegianas, p. 92, 1842) reported
this species, as Microstylis monophyllos (L.) Lindl., from Guatemala:
"In monte ignivomo Xetuch juxta Quezaltenango." We have seen
no specimen of this species from Guatemala, and we doubt very much
if this report is accurate. The typical form of M. monophyllos occurs
on this continent only in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, whereas
its var. brachypoda (A. Gray) Morris & Eames is found only as far
south as San Bernardino County, California.
26. Liparis L. C. Rich.
Inconspicuous, terrestrial or rarely epiphytic, scapose herbs arising from corms
or pseudobulbs. Leaves one or more, basal, sheathing the stem. Inflorescence a
lax few- to many-flowered raceme terminating the scape. Sepals mostly oblong-
lanceolate, free, spreading. Petals filiform to narrowly linear. Lip entire, emargi-
nate or 3-lobed, attached to the base of the column. Column usually elongate,
strongly incurved, with narrow lateral wings above; anther terminal, operculate,
incumbent; pollinia four, waxy, ovoid. Capsule ellipsoid to obovoid.
This is a rather large and complex genus of approximately two
hundred species that are widely dispersed through the temperate
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 279
and warmer regions of the world, with the greatest concentration
in tropical Asia and Oceania. It is painfully close to Malaxis.
1. Leaves two or more; lip broadest above the middle.
2. Leaves two; lip 1 cm. or more long L. arnoglossophylla.
2. Leaves three or more; lip less than 6 mm. long L. elata.
1. Leaf solitary; lip ovate-oval to lanceolate, not broadest above the middle.
3. Leaf orbicular-cordate; lip lanceolate, long-acuminate L. fantastica.
3. Leaf oblong-elliptic to linear-lanceolate.
4. Lip greenish marked with purple, with a definite constriction above the
middle, somewhat 3-lobed, orbicular-ovate to ovate-oblong, about 7 mm.
long and 5.5 mm. wide L. vexillifera.
4. Lip brownish purple to almost maroon, not constricted above the middle,
broadly ovate-oval to oval-subquadrate, about 10 mm. long and 8 mm.
wide L. vexillifera var. Galeottiana.
Liparis arnoglossophylla Reichb. f. ex Hemsl. in Godm. &
Salvin, Biol. Centr.-Am. Bot. 3: 212. 1883.
Terrestrial or on cliffs or rarely epiphytic in cool dense forests,
up to 2,800 meters alt. Rare in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant up to 3 dm. tall, provided at the base with several whitish chartaceous
sheaths. Stem lightly winged. Leaves two, basal, broadly ovate-elliptic to elliptic,
obtuse to abruptly acute or shortly acuminate, apparently succulent, with the
petiole sheathing the stem below, expanded just above the base of the plant, up
to 14 cm. long and 7 cm. wide. Raceme laxly many-flowered, up to 12 cm. long.
Floral bracts narrowly triangular-lanceolate, long-acuminate, 5-8 mm. long.
Flowers green and purple, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are up to 1 cm. long.
Sepals pale green, with revolute margins, narrowly lanceolate, tapering to an
obtuse apex, 3-nerved, 8-13 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals
oblique. Petals pale green, 1-nerved, filiform, 8-12 mm. long, less than 1 mm.
wide. Lip green with dull purplish in the center and two bands of purple just in
front of the column, broadly elliptic to elliptic-obovate, auriculate, obtuse to
broadly acute at the apex, 5-nerved with the lateral nerves branching, cellular-
papillose on the upper margins, 1-1.4 cm. long, 5.5-9 mm. wide. Column green
or yellowish, about 4.5 mm. long.
The pair of large fleshy-membranaceous leaves at once separates
this species from L. vexillifera, to which it is allied florally. It is
also found at higher elevations and usually in damper habitats than
L. vexillifera.
Huehuetenango: Cerro Huitz, between Mimanhuitz and Yul-
huitz, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48573. Along trail
between San Juan Atitlan and San Sebastian H., via Santa Isabel,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 52025.
Liparis elata Lindl. Bot. Reg. 14: t. 1175. 1828. Figure 83.
On decaying logs and stumps and in soil of moist forests, up to
1,300 meters alt. Widespread from southern Florida through Mexico,
280 FIELDI AN A: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Central America and the West Indies to Venezuela, Brazil and
Ecuador.
Plant essentially erect, glabrous, slender or stout, 1.2-6 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs
conical. Scape angled and prominently winged, suffused with madder-purple.
Leaves 3-5, rarely two, sheathing the stem below, expanded near base of scape,
subtended by scarious sheaths that envelop the pseudobulbs; lamina ovate to
elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, broadly rounded to abruptly acuminate, plicate,
6-30 cm. long, 5.5-12 cm. wide, reduced above to minute bracts. Raceme laxly
few- to many-flowered, 3-26 cm. long, 2-3 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts subulate
to triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, 6-12 mm. long. Flowers small, on rather
stout pedicellate ovaries that are 7-12 mm. long. Sepals greenish, streaked with
madder-purple, with five prominent nerves; dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to linear-
oblong, broadly rounded to obtuse at the apex, 5-8 mm. long, 1.8-4 mm. wide;
lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong to elliptic, obtuse to subacute, with the
margins strongly revolute, 4-7 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm. wide. Petals greenish,
streaked with madder-purple, linear-oblanceolate to narrowly spatulate, with
2-3 prominent nerves, 5-7.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide near the apex. Lip madder-
purple, obcordate, broadly cuneate or oblong-flabellate, emarginate, occasionally
with a small apicule in the sinus, strongly arcuate-decurved, obsoletely auricled
on each side at the base, 4-5.5 mm. long, 3.5-5.3 mm. wide; disk with two fleshy
tubercles on the basal portion, with five prominent nerves giving rise to numerous
veinlets. Column stout, strongly incurved above, with shallow lateral wings and
a small tooth on each side at the apex, 3.5-5 mm. long. Capsule obovoid, 1.2-1.5
cm. long, 5-6 mm. in diameter.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 902. Vicinity of Laguna Sapala
(Chajvovuch), one mile southwest of Sibicte", Steyermark 44897. —
Izabal: Cerro San Gil, along Rio Frio and tributaries, Steyermark
41562. — Solola: Pine woods bordering Rio Bravo, in vicinity of Finca
Moca, south-facing slopes of Volcan Atitlan, Steyermark 47999. —
Finca San Ignacio, near Colomba, Lewis 195.
Liparis fantastica Ames & C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Lean1.
Harv. Univ. 2: 97. 1934 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Chimaltenango,
Santa Elena, July 18, 1933, A. F. Skutch 448). Figure 84.
Terrestrial, rarely epiphytic, in dense moist forests, up to 3,000
meters. Rare in Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala.
Plant slender, glabrous, up to 26 cm. tall. Scape erect or decumbent near the
slightly swollen base, up to 21 cm. long, provided near the base with two loose
membranaceous sheaths 1.5-5 cm. long. Leaf solitary, sheathing the scape below,
expanded above the middle; lamina suborbicular-cordate, abruptly acute or shortly
FIG. 83. Liparis elata. 1, plant (X 1A}\ 2, inflorescence (X 11A}; 3, flower,
front view (X 5) ; 4, flower, side view (X 5) ; 5, petal (X 5) ; 6, lateral sepal ( X 5) ;
7, pollinia (enlarged). Original drawing by Blanche Ames; redrawn by G. W.
Dillon.
281
282 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
acuminate, membranaceous, nervose, spreading, up to 10.5 cm. long from the apex
to the base of the auricles, 4.2-8 cm. wide. Raceme short, laxly 21-flowered or
less, 1.4-5 cm. long, 2-4 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts minute, triangular, acumi-
nate, concave, spreading. Flowers large for the plant, deep maroon, on slender
pedicellate ovaries that are up to 11 mm. long. Sepals lanceolate, acuminate,
reflexed and parallel to each other, with revolute margins, 3-nerved, 8.5-10.8 mm.
long, 2-3 mm. wide; lateral sepals somewhat oblique. Petals strongly reflexed in
natural position, filiform from a triangular base, 1-nerved, 8-9 mm. long. Lip
lanceolate in outline, 7.5-9.3 mm. long, about 3.2 mm. wide near the middle when
expanded, with a pair of erect semicircular more or less undulate lobules at the
base, provided just in front of the lobules with two fleshy retrorse horns; central
part of disk abruptly broadened and irregularly laciniate with the margins some-
what inrolled; apex long-acuminate; disk fleshy-thickened between the erect basal
lobules, with a linear fleshy callus extending to about the middle. Column arcuate,
2.5-3 mm. long, dilated at the base, rather broadly winged above. Capsule ellip-
soid, about 2 cm. long.
This is a most unusual Liparis with apparently no allies in the
American tropics. In the peculiar structure of the flower, it recalls
the otherwise dissimilar Liparis angustiflora J. J. Sm., a native of
Java.
Chimaltenango: Tecpam, Lewis 60. Slopes of Volcan de Aca-
tenango, above Las Calderas, Standley 61822. — Huehuetenango: La
Sierra (Tujimach), across river from San Juan Atitlan, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 52004. — Solola: Volcan Santa Clara,
south-facing slopes to summit, Steyermark 46948.
Liparis vexillifera (Llave & Lex.) Cogn. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 3,
pt. 4: 289. 1895. Cymbidium vexilliferum Llave & Lex. Nov. Veg.
Descr. 2: 11. 1825.
On grassy slopes and hillsides, open rocky woods and rarely
epiphytic on trees in open woods, up to 1,350 meters alt. Wide-
spread from Mexico to Costa Rica, the West Indies, Colombia and
Bolivia.
Plant small, erect or ascending, slender, glabrous, 7.5-25 cm. tall. Scape
from a small globose pseudobulb, lightly angled and winged, 4.5-13 cm. long.
Leaf solitary, near the base, sheathing the scape from the pseudobulb; lamina
linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute, somewhat conduplicate, subcoriaceous,
5-11.5 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm. wide. Raceme slender, loosely few- to many-flowered,
2-14.5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, long-
acuminate, 7-9 mm. long. Flowers small, yellow-green, marked with purple, on
slender pedicellate ovaries up to 1 cm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate,
obtuse, 3-nerved, 6-10 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-
oblong to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 3-nerved, 5-8.2 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide.
Petals linear, obtuse, slightly falcate, 1-nerved, 5-9 mm. long, 0.3-1 mm. wide.
Lip greenish, marked with purple, with a definite constriction above the middle,
somewhat 3-lobed, orbicular-ovate to ovate-oblong, obtuse to acute, often apicu-
FIG. 84. Liparis fantastica. Plants (X 1); 1, flower, front view (X 3); 2,
lip, front view, spread out (X 4); 3, flower, side view (X 3). Drawn by Blanche
Ames.
283
284 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
late, 5-9 (averaging 7) mm. long, 5-7 (averaging 5.5) mm. wide; disk nervose,
with two laterally placed longitudinal nerves that are profusely branched, with
a small bimammillate callus at or near the base and a linear thickened keel extend-
ing almost to the apex. Column slender, conspicuously arcuate, winged on each
side near the apex, 3.5-4 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, prominently 3-ribbed, about
1 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1395.— "Guatemala:" Ber-
noulli 290.
Liparis vexillifera var. Galeottiana (A. Rich. & Gal.) Ames
& Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 79. 1942. Malaxis
Galeottiana A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3, 3: 18. 1845.
Dry granite hills, pine forests and marshlands. Apparently
confined to the mainland, from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras,
Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina.
Plant usually stout, erect or ascending, glabrous, 8-30 cm. tall. Scape from
a rather large globose pseubodulb, prominently winged, 3-16 cm. long, provided
at the base with a loose-fitting sheath up to 5 cm. long. Leaf solitary, near the
base of the scape, sheathing the scape below; lamina oblong-elliptic to oblong-
lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 6-15 cm. long, 2-5 cm. wide. Raceme showy, loosely
few- to many-flowered, 3-14 cm. long, 2-4.5 cm. wide. Floral bracts linear-
lanceolate to lanceolate, long-acuminate, concave, 5-18 mm. long. Flowers large
for the plant, greenish or green-yellow with a purple suffusion, with slender pedicel-
late ovaries that are 1-1.2 cm. long. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, narrowly obtuse,
3-nerved, 8.5-13 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate,
obtuse, 3-nerved, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, 7.5-11.5 mm. long, 2.2-4
mm. wide. Petals linear, obtuse, slightly falcate, 1-3-nerved, 7.5-12.5 mm. long,
0.7-1.3 mm. wide. Lip brownish purple to almost maroon, not constricted above
the middle, broadly ovate-oval to oval-subquadrate, subtruncate to obtuse at the
apex, often with inconspicuous auricles at the base, mostly minutely crenulate
along the upper margin, 7.5-15 (averaging 10) mm. long, 6-11 (averaging 8) mm.
wide; disk similar to that of the species. Column slender, arcuate, 5-6 mm. long.
Capsule globose-ellipsoid, 3-ribbed, about 1 cm. long.
The variety Galeottiana is distinguished from typical L. vexillifera
mainly in the size of the flowers, shape and coloration of the lip and
size of the leaf. It is commonly called "osheV'
Chimaltenango: Near Tecpam, Skutch 476. — Huehuetenango: La
Sierra (Tujimach), across river from San Juan Atitlan, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51991.
27. HEXISEA Lindl.
Epiphytic herbs with few leaves and simple or branched stems. Stems terete
or angular, consisting of alternately elongated swollen sections and shorter con-
stricted sections; constricted sections giving rise to several or many scarious
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 285
sheaths. Leaves narrow, rigid, at the summit of the swollen stems. Raceme
terminal, few-flowered; peduncle short, concealed by imbricated sheaths. Flowers
small, orange-colored to purple. Sepals subequal, narrow, spreading; dorsal sepal
free; lateral sepals more or less united at the base to form a short mentum. Petals
similar to the sepals. Lip erect, united with the base of the column to form a
fleshy cup, from a fleshy-thickened gibbous base, expanded above into a spread-
ing flattened elongate lamina, sometimes obscurely 3-lobed. Column short;
clinandrium broad, unequally 3-lobed; anther operculate, incumbent, semiglobose,
2-celled, with each of the cells somewhat divided; pollinia four, cereous, ovoid.
Capsule small, suborbicular-elliptic.
This is a small New World genus of perhaps a half dozen species
that are found mainly in Middle America and northern South
America.
Hexisea bidentata Lindl. Journ. Bot. 1: 8. 1834. Figure 85.
Epiphytic on trees in forests and coffee plantations, up to 1,500
meters alt. Widespread from Mexico through Central America to
Panama and northern South America.
Plant caespitose, simple or branched, up to 4.5 dm. or more tall. Stem com-
posed of alternate elongated swollen sections and shorter conspicuously constricted
sections; swollen sections composed of one or more internodes, up to 9 cm. long
and 8 mm. in diameter, fusiform, longitudinally grooved; constricted sections
consisting of several contracted internodes that produce scarious-fibrous imbricated
sheaths at the nodes. Leaves two, at the apex of the swollen sections of the
stem, sessile, opposite, linear to linear-lanceolate, obliquely tridenticulate at the
obtuse apex, clasping the stem at the base, coriaceous, up to 11 cm. long and 1.2
cm. wide. Peduncle and rachis terminal, abbreviated, up to 3 cm. long, concealed
by imbricated scarious sheaths and floral bracts. Flowers several, vermilion or
scarlet, with slender pedicellate ovaries that scarcely exceed the floral bracts.
Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 1.2-1.9 cm. long, 3.2-5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals oblique, dorsally carinate. Petals obliquely oblanceolate to narrowly
elliptic, obtuse to acute, 9-13 mm. long, 2.8-3.5 mm. wide. Lip united with the
base of the column and forming a cup, in natural position conspicuously arcuate
and with a very fleshy transverse thickening just in front of the column, expanded
into an oblong-elliptic lamina; lamina abruptly obtuse or acute at the broad sub-
truncated apex, 7.5-12 mm. long, 3-4.2 mm. wide. Column short, fleshy, un-
equally tridentate at the dilated apex, 3-4 mm. long. Capsule obliquely sub-
orbicular-elliptic, about 1 cm. long.
No specimen has been seen from Guatemala. However, since
Guatemala is included in the area of distribution of the species it
is included here.
28. NAGELIELLA L. 0. Wms.
Epiphytic or occasionally terrestrial plants with creeping rhizomes. Stem
short, pseudobulbous, clavate-thickened above, monophyllous. Leaves fleshy-
coriaceous, clasping the stem or subsessile, ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate.
FIG. 85. Hexisea bidentala. 1, flowering plant (X Vs); 2, flower (X 1).
Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
286
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 287
Inflorescence terminal, a subumbellate raceme or paniculate raceme with short
congested branches, on an elongated wiry peduncle. Flowers small, few to many.
Sepals triangular-ovate to elliptic, erect, connivent, the dorsal sepal free, the
lateral sepals adnate to the column foot to form a prominent or nearly obsolete
mentum. Petals linear to elliptic-lanceolate. Lip more or less adnate to the
column, extended below the column to form a saccate spur or spurless, constricted
above or below the middle; the lamina abruptly decurved or deeply concave and
enfolding the column, ovate to suborbicular, entire or obscurely 3-lobed.
Column slender, with auricles on each anterior margin at the apex, prominently
or only slightly arcuate; anther operculate, incumbent; pollinia four, waxy,
laterally compressed. Capsule ovoid.
This genus is represented by two species, both of which are found
in Guatemala. The genus is confined to Middle America.
Lip extended into a protruding sac at the base; lamina small, ovate, obtuse or
retuse at the apex, less than 5 mm. wide N. purpurea.
Lip not extended into a protruding sac at the base; lamina large, suborbicular,
retuse at the apex, more than 6 mm. wide N. angustifolia.
Nageliella angustifolia (Booth ex Lindl.) Ames & Correll,
Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 80. 1942. Hartwegia purpurea
Lindl. var. angustifolia Booth ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. 45.
1843 (type: Guatemala, Skinner).
Epiphytic on trees in dry rolling hills or in damp forests, occa-
sionally terrestrial, up to 2,100 meters alt. Widespread but not
common in Guatemala.
Plant slender, erect, often growing in loose clumps, 8-32 cm. tall. Stem short,
pseudobulbous, terete, clavate-thickened above, 1.5-7 cm. long. Leaf solitary,
at the apex of the stem, erect, linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse to
acute, thick and fleshy, sulcate, marked with deep brown, reddish or purplish spots,
2-10 cm. long, 0.7-2 cm. wide. Peduncle solitary, at the apex of the stem, stiffly
erect, terete, wiry, 7-30 cm. long including rachis, provided with close-fitting
brownish scarious sheaths. Flowers several, bright pinkish purple, appearing
successively in 1-several short congested branches of the paniculate raceme,
with slender twisted pedicellate ovaries 7-1 1 mm. long. Floral bracts minute, ovate,
obtuse, concave, scarious, about 1 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic, rounded
to subacute at the apex, longitudinally concave, with the mid-nerve dorsally
prominent, about 7 mm. long and 2.5-3.2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals broadly
and obliquely ovate-elliptic, broadly rounded to acute at the apex, with the
mid-nerve dorsally prominent, 5.5-6.5 mm. long, 3.5-4 mm. wide near the base.
Petals linear to linear-lanceolate, obtuse, usually falcate, minutely denticulate
along the margins, 6-7 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide near the middle. Lip adnate
to the base of the column for 2 mm. or less, forming no saccate spur, deeply con-
stricted and geniculate just below the middle, the entire lip 6-9 mm. long; basal
portion below the constriction running parallel to the column to form a tubular
nervose sac 3-3.5 mm. long; dilated above the constriction into a thin suborbicular,
obscurely 3-lobed, deeply concave lamina with crenate and more or less inrolled
apical margins, retuse at the apex, 6-10.5 mm. wide when spread out. Column
288 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
deep pink, slender, strongly arcuate above the middle, with an auricle on each
anterior margin at the apex. Capsule ovoid, prominently ribbed, deep reddish
purple, about 1 cm. long.
Vegetatively, Nageliella angustifolia and N. purpurea are strik-
ingly similar. The only difference is that the leaves of N. angusti-
folia are on the average narrower and thicker than those of N.
purpurea. However, florally, the two species are quite distinct. The
lip of N. angustifolia has no protruding saccate base as does the lip
of N. purpurea. The lip is only slightly adnate to the column instead
of being conspicuously adnate to the column, and the apical portion
of the lip is larger and of a different form than that of N. purpurea.
Chimaltenango: Poaquil, Seler 2623. Chimaltenango, Johnston
1238. — Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., Guate-
mala, said to have come originally from San Antonio de Flores, Dept.
Guatemala, Steyermark 46399. — Huehuetenango : Along road 13 km.
west of Huehuetenango, near Puente de Xinaxo, Standley 81491.—
Quiche" : Between Quiche" and San Pedro Jocopilas, Standley 62455.—
Sacatepe"quez: Hills of Finca Carmona, southeast of Antigua,
Standley 63681. — Solola: Road from Panjachel, near Lake Atitlan,
Lewis 77.
Nageliella purpurea (Lindl.) L. 0. Wms. Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 8: 144. 1940. Hartwegia purpurea Lindl. Bot. Reg.
23: sub t. 1970. 1837. Figure 86.
Epiphytic on trees on rocky hills, up to 1,500 meters alt. Rather
common in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant slender, erect, caespitose, 1-5.5 dm. tall. Stem pseudobulbous, twisted,
clavate-thickened above, 1.5-8 cm. long. Leaf solitary, at apex of stem, erect,
clasping the peduncle at the base, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acute to sub-
acuminate, coriaceous, usually spotted with bronze-purple, 3-12 cm. long, 0.7-3
cm. wide. Peduncle solitary at the apex of the stem, stiffly erect, terete, wiry,
up to 48 cm. long including the rachis, provided with close-fitting scarious sheaths.
Inflorescence a subumbellate raceme or paniculate raceme with the branches
congested. Floral bracts small, scarious, ovate, 1-3 mm. long. Flowers purplish
red, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are 7-10 mm. long. Dorsal sepal elliptic,
acute, concave-cymbiform, 7-9 mm. long, 2-4 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely
triangular-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, from a broad triangular base, obtuse to
acute, longitudinally concave, keeled on the back, the nerves prominent, conjoined
at the base to form a prominent mentum, 7-9.5 mm. long, 2.8-5 mm. wide at the
base. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, slightly oblique, minutely ciliate
along the margins, 6-8 mm. long, 1.2-2 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the base of the
column for 2.5-4 mm., extended below or out from the column into a short sub-
globose sac-like spur, deeply constricted and geniculate well above the middle,
the entire lip 7-11 mm. long; basal portion below the constriction running parallel
FIG. 86. Nageliella (Hartwegid) purpurea. 1, flowering plant (X 1); 2,
flower, front-side view (X 3); 3, column and lip, side view (X 3); 4, pollinia
(greatly magnified). N. Bergeriana and N. gemma not found in Guatemala.
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
289
290 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
to and somewhat below the column to form a tubular sac that is up to 7 mm. long;
dilated above the constriction into a thin cordate-ovate or suborbicular-ovate
lamina, obtuse to acute at the apex, shallowly concave, 2.5-4.5 mm. wide when
spread out. Column semiterete, slender, with an auricle on each anterior margin
at the apex, slightly arcuate above the middle, 6-7 mm. long. Capsule ovoid,
about 1 cm. long.
(?)Baja Verapaz: North of Santa Rosa, Standley 69784.— Chi-
maltenango: Between Chimaltenango and San Martin, Porter 15. —
Chiquimula: Between Chiquimula and La Laguna, Steyermark 30726.
—Guatemala: Chiantla, Smith 2643. Fiscal, Deam 6084. — Huehue-
tenango: Rio Pucal, about 14 km. south of Huehuetenango, Standley
82286. — Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 4621. — Zacapa:
Sierra de las Minas, oak-pine woods along upper reaches of Rio
Sitio Nuevo, between Santa Rosalia and first waterfall, Steyermark
42280.
29. EPIDENDRUM L.
Plants epiphytic, rock-inhabiting or more rarely terrestrial, very small to
large and robust, up to 3 meters or more tall or long, erect or creeping, with or
without a conspicuous rhizome. Stems either thickened into subglobose or
cylindric pseudobulbs that bear leaves only at the summit or slender and more or
less leafy, simple or much branched. Leaves one to numerous, terete or flattened,
varying from linear to oval, rounded to long-acuminate at the apex. Inflorescence
commonly terminal, rarely lateral from the leafy stem, simple (racemose or sub-
umbellate) to diffusely paniculate, erect or nodding, one- to many-flowered.
Flowers minute to rather large. Parts of the perianth more or less spreading.
Petals usually much narrower than the sepals. Lip slightly adnate to the column
or more commonly adnate to the column up to the apex of the latter, simple or
3-lobed, smooth or callose. Column short to elongate, wingless or prominently
winged or auricled; anther terminal, opercular, incumbent, 2-celled; pollinia four,
waxy, equal, in one series with two in each anther-cell, more or less flattened.
Capsule mostly ellipsoid.
This is the largest genus of New World neotropical orchids,
comprising about eight hundred species. It is widely dispersed from
southeastern North Carolina to western Louisiana on the Gulf
Coast, through Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies to
Argentina.
I. Stems with true pseudobulbs surrounded below by scarious non-leaf-bearing
sheaths; leaves one or more borne at or near the summit of the pseudobulb;
column wholly free from or adnate to the lip Section ENCYCLIUM.
1. Lip entire or at most obscurely lobulate or somewhat bilobed.
2. Pseudobulb 1-leaved.
3. Lip linear-spatulate, broader near the apex E. Boothii.
3. Lip ovate to orbicular-ovate, broader below the middle.
4. Lip 1.5 cm. or more long; leaves oblong-ligulate to lanceolate.
E. fragrans.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 291
4. Lip 1 cm. or less long; leaves narrowly linear E. subaquilum.
2. Pseudobulb 2- or more-leaved (occasionally a poorly developed pseudo-
bulb may have but one leaf).
5. Flower solitary.
6. Lip ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate E. neurosum.
6. Lip suborbicular-ovate, apiculate E. polybulbon.
5. Flowers two or commonly more.
7. Lamina of lip noticeably longer than broad.
8. Inflorescence abbreviated; peduncle very short or apparently
wanting.
9. Plant small, repent, rarely as much as 10 cm. tall. £7. polybulbon.
9. Plant rather large, not noticeably repent, usually much more
than 10 cm. tall.
10. Sepals 3 cm. or more long E. pentotis.
10. Sepals 2.5 cm. or less long.
11. Lip rhombic or trapeziform, with a cuneate base.
E. Boothianum.
11. Lip not rhombic or trapeziform, without a cuneate base.
12. Lip long-acuminate, auriculate at the base.E. neurosum.
12. Lip acute, rotundate at the base E. obbreviatum.
8. Inflorescence not abbreviated; peduncle more or less elongate.
13. Apex of lip rounded and retuse; disk of lip with verrucose nerves.
E. luteoroseum.
13. Apex of lip acute to long-acuminate; disk of lip without verrucose
nerves.
14. Lip essentially pandurate-ligulate; flowers vermilion.
E. vitellinum.
14. Lip not pandurate-ligulate; flowers not vermilion.
15. Pseudobulb 3- to 5-leaved; inflorescence much shorter than
the leaves E. chondylobulbon.
15. Pseudobulb 2-leaved; inflorescence commonly exceeding
the leaves E. Brassavolae.
7. Lamina of lip as broad as long or broader than long.
16. Apex of lip truncate and retuse E. radiatum.
16. Apex of lip obtuse (not broadly truncate) to acute or short-
acuminate.
17. Callus of lip trilamellate with the lateral lamellae bilobed at
the base; ovary with an elongate cuniculus E. collare.
17. Callus of lip a simple or lobed cushion or two simple lamellae;
ovary without an elongate cuniculus.
18. Lip yellow with purplish stripes; callus simple, velutinous,
cushion-like E. ionophlebium.
18. Lip dark purple with darker stripes or veins; callus consisting
of two short basal yellowish keels E. cochleatum.
1. Lip 3-lobed or 3-lobulate.
19. Column with a distinct lateral auricle on each side of the clinandrium.
20. Lamina of mid-lobe of lip much longer than broad. . . E. Tuerckheimii.
20. Lamina of mid-lobe of lip about as broad as long or broader than long.
21. Column adnate to the lip for one-third its length; lateral lobes of lip
linear, usually slightly broader toward their tip E. bractescens.
21. Column free from the lip or adnate only at its very base; lateral lobes
of lip oblong-obovate to broadly ovate.
292 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
22. Veins of the mid-lobe of lip strongly verrucose above, terminating
in distinct lines of warts; lateral lobes of lip oblong-obovate.
E. alatum.
22. Veins of the mid-lobe of lip smooth or at most verruculose, not
warty above; lateral lobes of lip oblong, oblong-pandurate or
ovate E. oncidioides.
19. Column without a distinct auricle on each side of the clinandrium, at
most denticulate or more or less winged near the summit.
23. Lip obscurely 3-lobed, rhombic or trapeziform in outline.
E. Boothianum.
23. Lip distinctly 3-lobed, not rhombic or trapeziform in outline.
24. Mid-lobe of lip acicular or linear-lanceolate.
25. Lateral lobes of lip fimbriate-ciliate E. ciliare.
25. Lateral lobes of lip entire or at most dentate.
26. Lip from base of column to tip of mid-lobe 5.5 cm. or more
long; sepals and petals 5.5 cm. or more long. E. Parkinsonianum.
26. Lip from base of column to tip of mid-lobe 4 cm. or less long;
sepals and petals less than 4 cm. long.
E. Parkinsonianum var. falcatum.
24. Mid-lobe of lip not acicular or linear-lanceolate.
27. Outer margins of mid-lobe of lip conspicuously dentate to fim-
briate; mid-lobe with two divaricate suborbicular-obovate lobules.
E. Stamfordianum.
27. Outer margins of mid-lobe of lip not conspicuously dentate or
fimbriate.
28. Mid-lobe of lip smaller than each lateral lobe or about equal to
it.
29. Mid-lobe of lip with divaricate lobules; plant dwarf, less than
4 cm. tall E. microcharis.
29. Mid-lobe of lip never with divaricate lobules; plant more
than 4 cm. tall.
30. Mid-lobe of lip triangular, from a markedly broad base.
E. pygmaeum.
30. Mid-lobe of lip never triangular.
31. Lateral lobes of lip oblong to pandurate-oblong, free
portion longer than broad; inflorescence usually panicu-
late.
32. Sinus between the mid-lobe and each lateral lobe of
lip extremely narrow, often concealed by the over-
lapping lobes; base of each lateral lobe of lip more
or less cordate E. Candollei.
32. Sinus between the mid-lobe and each lateral lobe of
lip broad and well defined; base of each lateral lobe
of lip never cordate, but gradually narrowed.
E. selligerum.
31. Lateral lobes of lip suborbicular-quadrate, free portion
about as long as broad; inflorescence usually racemose,
rarely branched E. ochraceum.
28. Mid-lobe of lip considerably larger than each lateral lobe, often
twice as large.
33. Pedicellate ovary hyaline-echinate; lateral lobes of lip linear
to linear-spatulate, usually asymmetrically bidentate near the
tip E. xipheres.
33. Pedicellate ovary not hyaline-echinate, though verruculose
to muricate in some species.
34. Pseudobulb 1-leaved.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 293
35. Lip more than 1 cm. long; mid-lobe more than 3 mm.
wide E. campylostalix.
35. Lip less than 1 cm. long; mid-lobe less than 3 mm. wide.
E. limbatum.
34. Pseudobulb 2- or more-leaved.
36. Pseudobulb contracted into a caulescent neck (usually
4-10 cm. long) which separates the leaves from the
swollen portion E. varicosum.
36. Pseudobulb not contracted into a caulescent neck, the
leaves practically sessile on the swollen portion.
37. Middle tooth at the summit of the column rather
broad, erect, very fleshy and quadrate or rounded-
qu,adrate, separated from the well-defined lateral tooth
on each side by a relatively narrow and deep sinus.
38. Disk of mid-lobe of lip with three longitudinal rows
of prominent separate tuberculose papillae.
E. condylochilum.
38. Disk of mid-lobe of lip without three longitudinal
rows of prominent separate tuberculose papillae.
E. virgatum.
37. Middle tooth at summit of column small or sometimes
wanting, triangular, incurved and obtuse to acute,
separated from the tooth on each side by a broad
usually shallow sinus.
39. Column adnate to the lip for one-third to one-
half its length E. adenocarpon.
39. Column adnate to the lip for one-fourth its length
at most, usually much less.
40. Mid-lobe of lip not unguiculate, the lateral lobes
separated from it by a very narrow sinus.
41. Veins or keels of the mid-lobe of lip strongly
verrucose E. aromaticum.
41. Veins or keels of the mid-lobe of lip smooth or
at most slightly verruculose E. Candollei.
40. Mid-lobe of lip more or less unguiculate, the lateral
lobes noticeably separated from it.
42. Mid-lobe of lip less than 1.3 cm. wide; wing on
each side of the column terminated in a tri-
angular produced summit E. tr achy car pum.
42. Mid-lobe of lip more than 1.3 cm. wide; wing
on each side of the column not terminated in a
triangular produced summit . E. atropurpureum.
Stems without true pseudobulbs, though sometimes thickened at the base
(in Section BARKERIA) ; leaves usually several, distributed along the stem or
concentrated on the upper part of the stem, not clustered at the summit,
or at least showing leaf-sheaths surrounding the thickened base of the stem
(in Section BARKERIA).
II. Column usually adnate to the lip nearly its entire length (sometimes ad-
nate only one-half its length), not developed into a wing on each side;
stems never thickened Section EUEPIDENDRUM.
1. Lip 3-lobed or 3-lobulate.
2. Leaves terete or semiterete.
3. Pedicellate ovary concealed by two spathaceous bracts; lateral lobes
of lip with a porrect rounded apex E. cobanense.
3. Pedicellate ovary exserted from the one or more subtending bracts;
lateral lobes of lip without a porrect rounded apex . . . . E. teretifolium.
294 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
2. Leaves flat, not terete or semiterete.
4. Mid-lobe of lip narrowly triangular to linear, several times longer
than broad.
5. Leaves acuminate; flowers five or more E. lacertinum.
5. Leaves obtuse or at most acute; flowers one or at most two present
at one time E. nocturnum.
4. Mid-lobe of lip not narrowly triangular to linear (in some species
triangular from a broad base or not more than twice as long as broad).
6. Lip tubular-involute, usually very fleshy and difficult to expand,
its outline ovate-oblong, longer than broad E. singuliflorum.
6. Lip not tubular-involute, usually flat.
7. Area of mid-lobe of lip approximately twice that of either lat-
eral lobe or even larger.
8. Apex of mid-lobe of lip rounded or distinctly protuberant-
acute.
9. Lateral lobes of lip coarsely dentate to lacerate; inflores-
cence usually long-peduncled E. imatophyllum.
9. Lateral lobes of lip not coarsely dentate or lacerate; inflores-
cence never long-peduncled E. pansamalae.
8. Apex of mid-lobe of lip truncate, retuse or bilobed, in some
species with an apicule in the sinus.
10. Lateral lobes of lip lacerate or at least deeply and irregularly
dentate E. cristatum.
10. Lateral lobes of lip entire or at most crenulate-erose.
11. Lateral lobes of lip suborbicular-quadrate, broader than
long E. Clowesii.
11. Lateral lobes of lip not suborbicular-quadrate.
12. Upper part of the column- wing divided into four sub-
quadrate lobules that are not more than one-third the
length of the column proper; inflorescence commonly
diffuse-paniculate though sometimes racemose.
13. Base of mid-lobe of lip tricallose; flowers white to
pale yellow E. verrucosum.
13. Base of mid-lobe of lip bicallose; flowers almost
white to purplish red .E. verrucosum var. myrianthum.
12. Upper part of column- wing simple, elongate, irregularly
denticulate-crenulate at its summit and as long as the
column proper; inflorescence commonly racemose.
E. centropetalum.
7. Area of mid-lobe of lip about equal to that of either lateral lobe
or smaller.
14. Ovary with a saccate vesicle at the summit E. physodes.
14. Ovary without a saccate vesicle at the summit.
15. Inflorescence subumbellate.
16. Mid-lobe of lip (if present) twice or more broader than
long, semielliptic to renif orm E. difforme.
16. Mid-lobe of lip usually little broader than long if as
broad, subquadrate to subquadrate-oyate.
E. difforme var. firmum.
15. Inflorescence racemose or paniculate.
17. Mid-lobe of lip not bilobed or retuse.
18. Floral bracts large and conspicuous, conduplicate,
equitant and prominently carinate, subequaling the
flowers. . E. nitens.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 295
18. Floral bracts not large and conspicuous, concave, much
shorter than the flowers.
19. Lip less than 1 cm. broad; stem unbranched.
E. anceps.
19. Lip more than 1 cm. broad; stem branched.
E. incomptum.
17. Mid-lobe of lip bilobed or retuse.
20. Rachis much-thickened and sharply deflexed, very
densely flowered, with approximate bracts; leaves
fleshy-coriaceous E. pachyrachis.
20. Rachis not much-thickened; leaves not fleshy-coria-
ceous.
21. Veins of lateral lobes of lip distinctly carinate-thick-
ened; stem (not rhizome) always branched.
E. arbuscula var. radioferens.
21. Veins of lateral lobes of lip not noticeably carinate-
thickened; stem simple or branched.
22. Leaves two to five, concentrated (but not
clustered) toward the termination of the stem
or branch, the lower portion of which bears only
non-leaf-bearing sheaths E. arbuscula.
22. Leaves several, distributed along the elongate
stem.
23. Margins of lateral lobes of lip digitate, lacerate
or dentate.
24. Peduncle very elongate with close scarious
sheaths and with the flowers clustered in
dense racemes, sometimes paniculate.
E. ibaguense.
24. Peduncle not very elongate or if so with
spreading foliaceous or imbricating spathes.
25. Mid-lobe of lip with two strongly divaricate
lobules.
26. Lip bearing a central carinate thickening;
inflorescence frequently subtended by
broad imbricating spathes. E. cristatum.
26. Lip bearing three parallel approximate
fleshy keels; flowers greenish tinged.
E. paniculatum.
25. Mid-lobe of lip with the lobules more or
less porrect, never strongly divaricate.
E. polyanthum.
23. Margins of lateral lobes of lip not digitate,
lacerate or dentate (sometimes crenulate, undu-
late or asymmetrically bilobed).
27. Lateral lobes of lip asymmetrically bilobed.
28. Petals filiform to filiform-spatulate, less
than 1 mm. wide E. polyanthum.
28. Petals obovate-cuneate, more than 7 mm.
wide E. Schweinfurthianum.
27. Lateral lobes of lip entire or at most crenulate-
undulate.
29. Spread between tips of widely divaricate
lobules of mid-lobe of lip about twice or
more the length of mid-lobe, which is
commonly not clawed E. paniculatum.
296 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
29. Spread between tips of the more or less
porrect lobules of mid-lobe or breadth of
simple retuse mid-lobe less than twice the
length of mid-lobe, usually much less.
30. Lip 1.7 cm. or more wide; raceme usually
elongate and 6 cm. or more in diameter.
E. moyobambae.
30. Lip 1.6 cm. or less wide.
31. Pair of basal calli of lip absent;
peduncle usually elongate. .E. anceps.
31. Pair of basal calli of lip present;
peduncle usually but not always ab-
breviated.
32. Pedicellate ovary more than 2.8 cm.
long; inflorescence a broad rather
dense nodding raceme.
E. cnemidophorum.
32. Pedicellate ovary less than 2.8 cm.
long; inflorescence a narrow raceme
or a compound racemose panicle.
33. Pedicellate ovary glabrous; ex-
terior surface of lateral sepals
glabrous E. Clowesii.
33. Pedicellate ovary verrucose or
verruculose; exterior surface of
lateral sepals more or less ver-
rucose E. polyanthum.
1. Lip simple, obscurely lobulate or bilobed.
34. Lower portion of lateral margins of lip irregularly lacerate to coarsely
sharp-dentate; lamina of lip with a prominent central keel extending nearly
to its apex E. imatophyllum.
34. Lower portion of lateral margins of lip neither lacerate nor coarsely sharp-
dentate.
35. Inflorescence a lax widely spreading many-flowered (usually twenty-five
or more) commonly compound panicle; lip ovate to triangular-ovate.
E. diffusum.
35. Inflorescence racemose or paniculate, if paniculate the panicle is simple.
36. Blade of leaf not articulate with the sheath (leaves not deciduous).
E. Schlechterianum.
36. Blade of leaf articulate with the sheath (leaves deciduous).
37. Ovary with a more or less semiglobose vesicle at its summit just
under the lip.
38. Apex of lip subtruncate to obtuse; leaves not variable in length
from top to bottom of stem.
39. Leaves triangular-lanceolate, scattered on stem; lip not strongly
conduplicate E. physodes.
39. Leaves elliptic to elliptic-oblong, congested (but not clustered)
on upper half of stem; lip strongly conduplicate. . .E. Carolii.
38. Apex of lip acute to subacuminate; leaves variable in length from
top to bottom of stem E. strobiliferum.
37. Ovary without a more or less semiglobose vesicle at its summit.
40. Lip less than 6 mm. wide, with a tridentate (not tricarinate) or
V-shaped callus at or near the base of the lamina.
41. Leaves very narrowly linear-lanceolate, less than 5 mm. wide,
elongate, grass-like, acuminate E. isomerum.
41. Leaves ligulate or linear-oblong to lanceolate or oblong-elliptic,
usually much more than 5 mm. wide, obtuse or retuse.
AMES AND CORRELL: 'ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 297
42. Column extending up to the middle of the lamina of the lip,
with a prominent falcate-oblong auricle on each side.
E. pseudoramosum.
42. Column extending little beyond the claw of the lip, shallowly
and broadly winged on each side.
43. Callus tridentate or trilobulate at its apex; lip long-acumi-
nate; sepals and petals usually acuminate; in typical
material the leaves of the primary stem are much larger
than those of the branches E. ramosum var. mixtum.
43. Callus bifurcate at its base; lip obtuse to short-acuminate;
sepals and petals usually obtuse to acute.
44. Flowers solitary or several clustered on separate
peduncles, subtended by closely appressed imbricated
bracts E. ramosum var. lanceolatum.
44. Flowers in a short raceme, each flower subtended by a
floral bract.
45. Stem slender, 4 mm. or less in diameter just below
the inflorescence; leaf -sheaths and bracts not maculate;
leaves commonly less than 1 cm. wide; inflorescence
usually lax and rather narrow E. ramosum.
45. Stem stout, commonly 5-6 mm. in diameter just
below the inflorescence; leaf-sheaths and bracts usually
fine-maculate; leaves commonly 1.5 cm. or more wide;
inflorescence typically rather dense and broad.
E. ramosum var. angustifolium.
40. Lip commonly but not always more than 6 mm. wide, never with
a tridentate or V-shaped callus at or near the base of the lamina.
46. Entire length of column adnate to base of lateral sepals.
E. porpax.
46. Entire length of column not adnate to base of lateral sepals.
47. Stem (not rhizome) branched.
48. Inflorescence 1-flowered E. re-pens.
48. Inflorescence 2- or more-flowered.
49. Disk of lip bearing a single more or less lobulate or
retuse callus that is usually situated well above the base.
50. Leaves oblong-elliptic, 12 mm. or more wide; apex of
lip retuse E. viejii.
50. Leaves linear to linear-elliptic, 7 mm. or less wide;
apex of lip acute-apiculate E. trachythece.
49. Disk of lip not bearing a single more or less lobulate or
retuse callus.
51. Lamina of lip 1.5 cm. or more long.
52. Lip 2.5 cm. long, rotundate at the base, with the
margins minutely papillose-denticulate.
E. cerinum.
52. Lip 1.5 cm. long, cordate at the base, with the
margins entire E. alticola.
51. Lamina of lip less than 1.2 cm. long.
53. Disk of lip with a broad central fleshy clavate-elliptic
callus that is sulcate at the base and extends to the
apex E. Skutchii.
53. Disk of lip without a broad central fleshy clavate-
elliptic callus, bicallose at base and often with one
to three carinate-thickened nerves above.
E. ledifolium.
47. Stem unbranched.
298 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
54. Floral bracts conspicuous due to their size, their largeness
compared with the flowers, or their distinct spreading
character.
55. Lamina of lip noticeably broader than long, reniform.
E. coriifolium.
55. Lamina of lip usually longer than broad, sometimes
about as long, more or less orbicular-ovate or orbicular-
cordate.
56. Lateral sepals prominently keeled at their apex; lip
slightly contracted in the middle of each side.
E. nitens.
56. Lateral sepals not keeled; lip not contracted in the
middle of each side E. rigidum.
54. Floral bracts not conspicuous.
57. Inflorescence subumbellate E. difforme.
57. Inflorescence racemose or paniculate.
58. Lip conduplicate; peduncle elongate; raceme elongate
and very narrow.
59. Leaves long-attenuate, elongate-lanceolate, usually
10 cm. or more long E. Laucheanum.
59. Leaves obtuse-apiculate to acute, elliptic to elliptic-
oblong, less than 9 cm. long E. Carolii.
58. Lip not conduplicate but convex, flat or at most some-
what concave.
60. Disk of lip ecallose; peduncle usually elongate;
inflorescence proliferous when mature. . . .E. anceps.
60. Disk of lip callose or carinate.
61. Length of lip greater than its breadth.
62. Lip ovate, about 5.5 mm. long; leaves grass-
like, long-attenuate E. Chloe.
62. Lip obovate-oval, 3 cm. long; leaves not grass-
like, acute E. sobralioides.
61. Length of lip less than its breadth.
63. Rachis much thickened and sharply deflexed;
flowers fleshy E. pachyrachis.
63. Rachis slender; flowers membranaceous.
E. eustirum.
II. Column wholly free from the lip or in some species adnate at the base
(in E. Skinneri adnate nearly to its middle), more or less expanded into
a wing on each side; stems thickened at base or fusiform-cylindric, leafy
or with leaf-sheaths Section BARKERIA.
1. Veins of lip papillose- verruculose; base of stems distinctly fusiform-
thickened E. chinense.
1. Veins of lip not papillose- verruculose; base of stems evenly thickened
some distance upward or fusiform-cylindric.
2. Inflorescence congested, subumbellate, the peduncle much abbreviated;
clinandrium with two petaloid porrect triangular wings.
E. slenopetalum.
2. Inflorescence laxly racemose, the peduncle more or less elongate; clin-
andrium without petaloid wings.
3. Lip lacking true keels; sometimes the mid-nerve is fleshy-thickened
toward the apex E. elegans.
3. Lip with three to five true keels.
4. Lamina of lip oblong-oval, elliptic-lanceolate to subquadrate or
suborbicular, 2 cm. or more long; keels three to five, more pro-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 299
nounced toward upper part of lip; column adnate to lip for one-
third its length or less E. Lindleyanum.
4. Lamina of lip broadly ovate or broadly ovate-triangular, usually
less than 1.5 cm. long; keels three (often with two less conspicuous
intervening carinate nerves), more pronounced toward basal part
of lip; column adnate to lip for nearly half its length. .E. Skinneri.
Epidendrum abbreviatum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 107.
1906. Epidendrum prorepens Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 33. 1923 (type:
Guatemala, Dept. Alta Verapaz, Chama, June 15, 1920, Harry
Johnson 234).
Epiphytic on trees and on rocks, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rather
common in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant small, glabrous, 1-2 dm. tall. Rhizome creeping, elongated, rooting at
intervals, 3-4 mm. in diameter. Pseudobulbs stipitate, bifoliate, fusiform or
cylindrical, 3-7.5 cm. long, 4-12 mm. thick, obliquely ascending 2-3 cm. apart
on the rhizome. Leaves linear to linear-oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, divergent,
7-14 cm. long, 4-15 mm. wide. Raceme short, compactly 3-6-flowered, 1-3 cm.
long including the stout peduncle. Floral bracts deltoid, obtuse to acute, 2-4 mm.
long. Flowers erect-spreading, greenish white, the lip marked with brown-purple,
with stout pedicellate ovaries 6-9 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-ligulate, acute,
fleshy-thickened, 9-13.5 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide near the middle. Lateral sepals
obliquely lanceolate, carinate at the acute apex, fleshy-thickened, sulcate below
the middle, 10-14 mm. long, 2-4 mm. wide. Petals obliquely oblanceolate to
spatulate, acute to shortly acuminate and somewhat carinate at the apex, with a
median purple stripe, 8.5-13 mm. long, 1-4 mm. wide near the apex. Lip ovate,
acute, strongly concave, whitish with a few longitudinal purple stripes, fleshy,
margin slightly undulate, 8.5-10 mm. long, 5-7.5 mm. wide across the middle;
disk with a thickening on each side above the base, otherwise ecallose. Column
5-6 mm. long, fleshy, with a triangular erect lobule on each side at the summit
and a posterior elongated linear tooth that is erect and 1 mm. long in a line parallel
to the axis of the column. Capsule strongly 3-angled, ovoid, about 2 cm. long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection of
E. prorepens.
Epidendrum adenocarpon La Llave & Lex. Nov. Veg. Descr.
2 (Orch. Opusc.) 24. 1825; Lindl. in Benth. PL Hartweg. 92. 1842
(as "adenocarpum"). Epidendrum papillosum Bateman ex Lindl.
in Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 7. 1838; Hooker in Bot. Mag. 65: t. 3631.
1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner).
On trees, often cacti, in rather dry open country. Uncommon
from Mexico to Nicaragua.
Plant erect, up to 8.5 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs obliquely ovoid-conical, glazed,
2-3-leaved, 2.5-7 cm. long, up to 3 cm. in diameter near the base, enveloped in
whitish scarious fibrous sheaths when young. Leaves linear-elongate, narrowly
obtuse to acute, coriaceous, mostly conduplicate-ensiform, 15-40 cm. long, 6-15
300 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
mm. wide. Inflorescence a loose many-flowered panicle, up to 8 dm. long including
the long reddish brown peduncle; peduncle and branches of the panicle provided
with close-fitting tubular bracts 4-25 mm. long. Floral bracts minute, deltoid,
acute, 2-3 mm. long. Flowers colorful, with stout tuberculate-roughened pedicel-
late ovaries 1.5-2 cm. long. Sepals yellowish green with reddish brown shading
and nerves, elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse-apiculate to subacute, mostly papillose-
thickened at the apex, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide above the middle; lateral
sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblanceolate to spatulate, broadly rounded-
apiculate to subacute at the apex with the upper margins thin and undulate-
crisped, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip white with three
lavender-pink stripes on the center of the disk, adnate to the lower half of the
column, deeply 3-lobed, 1.2-1.6 cm. long to base of column, often minutely auricu-
late at the base at point of adnation to the column; lateral lobes variable, obliquely
oblong-obovate to triangular-ovate, broadly rounded to narrowly obtuse at the
apex, 1.6-5 mm. long to base of sinus, 2-3 mm. wide; mid-lobe separated from the
lateral lobes by a short broad isthmus, suborbicular-flabellate to broadly obreni-
form, deeply retuse at the apex, often shallowly 4-lobulate above, with the margin
irregularly undulate-plicate, nervose with the main nerves wavy-thickened, 5-11
mm. wide across the middle; disk with an elevated elliptic sulcate callus between
the lateral lobes, with the callus extended into three tapering keels to above the
middle of the mid-lobe. Column clavate, tinged with orange, somewhat 3-lobulate
at the apex, with a small auricle on each side near the apex. Capsule ellipsoid,
chocolate-brown, profusely tuberculose-roughened, 1.5-2 cm. long.
Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H. (originally
from Dept. Santa Rosa), Guatemala, Steyermark 46404. El Rancho,
Maxon 3772; Deam 6249B. At mile 136.12 on main line I.R.C.A.,
Lewis 121.
Epidendrum alatum Batem. Orch. Mex. et Guatem. t. 18.
1840; Lindl. Bot. Reg. 33: t. 53. 1847 (type: Guatemala, Rucker).
E. calocheilum Hook. Bot. Mag. 68: t. 3898. 1841 (type: Guatemala,
Skinner). E. longipetalum Lindl. & Paxton, Paxton's Flow. Gard. 1:
149. t. 30. 1850-51 (type: Guatemala). E. formosum Klotz. Allg.
Gartenzeit. 21: 201. 1853 (type: Guatemala, Warscewicz). E.
ambiguum Lindl. Fol. Orch. (Epidendrum) 18. 1853 (type: Guate-
mala, Rucker). Encyclia alata (Batem.) Schltr. Orchideen 207.
1914. E. ambigua (Lindl.) Schltr. Orchideen 208. 1914. E. belizensis
(Reichb. f.) Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 471. 1918.
Epiphytic on trees in open forests, occasionally terrestrial in soil
pockets, up to 300 meters alt. Common from Mexico to Nicaragua.
Plant usually large, robust, 2.5-11 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs obpyriform, 3.5-
12.5 cm. long, when young concealed by fugaceous membranaceous sheaths.
Leaves two or several, on short tubular petioles at apex of pseudobulbs, linear-
lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, coriaceous, glabrous, dorsally keeled, conduplicate
below the middle, 7.5-50 cm. long, 0.8-4.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a loose raceme
or compound panicle, greatly exceeding the leaves, up to 10.5 dm. long including
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 301
the peduncle; peduncle and rachis provided with short scarious bracts 1.6 cm.
long, rough. Floral bracts orbicular-ovate, deeply concave, 3-4 mm. long. Flowers
yellowish green marked with purple, with slender pedicellate ovaries 1.5-3 cm.
long. Sepals oblanceolate to subspatulate, obtuse to subacute, with the margins
slightly reflexed, weakly carinate at the apex, 1.8-3 cm. long, 4-8 mm. wide.
Petals obliquely spatulate, obtuse to broadly rounded at the apex, 1.7-2.9 cm.
long, 3-7 mm. wide near the apex. Lip deeply 3-lobed, with a rather wide sinus
separating the lateral lobes from the mid-lobe, 1.4-2.5 cm. long to the base of the
column, united with the base of the column; lateral lobes oblong-obovate, broadly
rounded at the apex, upcurved along the sides of the column, 7-13 mm. long to
the base of the sinus, 3.5-7 mm. wide across the apex; mid-lobe orbicular-obovate,
retuse at the apex, undulate-crisped along the margin, 8-15 mm. long, 9-20 mm.
wide, with purple raised nerves that pass into broken verrucose terminations;
base of lateral lobes marked by a fleshy-thickened oval sulcate callus about 1 cm.
long and 3 mm. wide near the tridentate apex. Column stout, 1-1.3 cm. long, about
4 mm. wide near the apex, provided with an auricle on each side at the apex,
yellow-green speckled with red.
This species varies considerably in the size of the flowers and in
the shape of the lateral lobes of the lip.
Izabal: Near Puerto Barrios, Standley 72580; 73171. Los Andes
district, near Entre Rios, Lewis 137. — Pete"n: San Andres, Lundell
3130. — Eastern portions of Vera Paz and Chiquimula, 1885, Watson.
Epidendrum alticola Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv.
Univ. 10, no. 4: 80. pi. 8. 1942 (type: Guatemala, Chimaltenango,
quite abundant at altitude of 8,000 feet near Calderas on Volcan
de Acatenango, May 29, 1939, J. R. Johnston 1472). Figure 87.
Epiphytic, at high elevations. Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant erect-ascending, branched, large, 4.5 dm. tall. Stem terete, wiry, about
5 mm. in diameter, concealed by the imbricated scarious leaf-sheaths. Leaves
two, at the summit of the main stem and branches, subopposite, oblong-elliptic,
obtuse to subacute, articulate with the leaf -sheaths, 8-11.5 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm.
wide, each pair of leaves subtended by two scarious sheaths, the upper sheath long-
acuminate. Raceme at the apex of the main stem and branches, from between
the two leaves, recurved-pendent, 12.5 cm. long including the short peduncle,
6 cm. in diameter. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, scarious, up to
2.3 cm. long. Flowers rather large, fleshy-thickened, with slender pedicellate
ovaries that are about 2 cm. long. Sepals and petals cream-color or light tan.
Dorsal sepal oblong-oblanceolate or occasionally oblong-elliptic, narrowly obtuse-
apiculate at the apex, 1.7 cm. long, 6 mm. wide. Lateral sepals oblique, ovate-
elliptic or occasionally oblong-elliptic, acute, prominently keeled along the back
with the keel excurrent and toothed along the margin, 1.8 cm. long, 6.5 mm.
wide. Petals oblique, spatulate-oblanceolate, acute, minutely ciliate along the
margins, 1.7 cm. long, 5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina suborbicular-
cordate, retuse at the apex, strongly cordate at the base, waxy white, 1.5 cm.
long, 1.8 cm. wide; disk prominently veined, with three keels in the center, the
lateral keels much-thickened near the base of the lip and scarcely extending to
E^PID^NDRUM
FIG. 87. Epidendrum alticola. 1, terminal portion of plant (X 1); 2, flower
(X 1J^); 3, lip, from above (X 2); 4, lateral sepal, from above (X 2). Drawn
by G. W. Dillon.
302
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 303
the middle of the lip, the central keel extending to the sinus at the apex and
conspicuously broadened and enlarged at the apex. Column clavate, large, 9 mm.
long.
This species is allied to E. arbuscula, but it differs from that species
primarily in its simple instead of 3-lobed lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum anceps Jacq. Select. Stirp. Am. 224, t. 138. 1763.
Figure 88.
Epiphytic on trees in damp forests, up to 2,000 meters alt. Wide-
spread and common in southern Florida, Mexico through Central
America to Panama, throughout the West Indies and northern
South America.
Plant erect, leafy, glabrous, often stout, up to 10 dm. tall. Stem compressed,
concealed by tubular sheaths. Leaves distichous, linear-elliptic to oblong or
broadly elliptic, rounded or obtuse to acute-apiculate, often broadest above the
middle, coriaceous and somewhat rigid, articulated at the base to the stem-
sheaths, occasionally tinged with purple, 5-20 cm. long, up to 4.5 cm. wide.
Inflorescence a compact subcapitate raceme or few-branched panicle, terminating
a commonly elongate peduncle enveloped by long scarious tubular bracts. Floral
bracts small, ovate to lanceolate, acute or acuminate, up to 6 mm. long. Flowers
small, fleshy, light greenish brown to dull red or tawny yellow, with slender pedicel-
late ovaries 8-16 mm. long. Sepals obovate to broadly oblong-elliptic or ovate-
elliptic, subobtuse to somewhat acuminate at the apex, strongly 3-nerved, 4.5-
9.5 mm. long, 3.5-4 mm. wide above the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
linear-oblanceolate to spatulate, subacute to acute or truncate at the apex, some-
what oblique, 1-nerved, 5-8.5 mm. long, up to 1.5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip
adnate to the column almost to its apex, up to 1.1 cm. long from the apex to the
base of the column; lamina spreading from the apex of the column, cordate-reni-
form to cordate-ovate, more or less shallowly 3-lobed, up to 5.5 mm. long and 8 mm.
wide across lateral lobes; lateral lobes broadly rounded to subquadrate; mid-lobe
short, usually transversely oblong, with a truncate-retuse apex, usually with an
apicule in the sinus; disk with a thickened ridge in the middle but without calli.
Column dilated upward, sigmoid, lavender at the truncate tip, 4-5 mm. long.
Capsule ovoid, about 1.5 cm. long and 1 cm. in diameter.
This species varies considerably in its inflorescence and in its
flowers. The inflorescence is usually long-pedunculate, rarely short-
pedunculate, and may be racemose or almost subcapitate when young,
but becomes branched by proliferation as it develops. The flowers
vary in size, in having the lip nearly simple to noticeably 3-lobed
and in having the apex of the lip or mid-lobe rounded to retuse or
bilobulate.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 212. — Izabal: Los Andes District,
Entre Rios, Lewis 50. — Suchitepequez : Volcan Santa Clara, between
304 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark 46749. — "Guate-
mala:" Lewis 38.
Epidendrum arbuscula Lindl. in Benth. PI. Hartweg. 93.
1842 (as "arbusculum"). Epidendrum Nubium Reichb. f. Beitr.
Orch. Centr.-Am. 81. 1866 (type: Guatemala, Las Nubes, January 10,
1857, Wendland 332).
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees, in open lands and forests, up
to 3,000 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Hon-
duras.
Plant stout, branched, occasionally loosely scandent, up to 2 meters tall.
Stem concealed by whitish membranaceous tubular sheaths, sometimes with
adventitious roots at the nodes, up to 1 cm. in diameter. Leaves several, clustered
and imbricate at the summit of each branch, spreading, oblong-elliptic, ovate-
lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, occasionally retuse, up to 16 cm.
long, 2-5 cm. wide. Raceme terminating the branches, loosely many-flowered,
pendent, occasionally with short side-branches, up to 20 cm. long including the
short peduncle, up to 10 cm. in diameter; peduncle subtended by a tubular acumi-
nate scarious sheath up to 2.5 cm. long. Floral bracts spreading or recurved,
lanceolate, acuminate, up to 13 mm. long. Flowers variously colored, rust-red
to yellowish green, with slender pedicellate ovaries up to 3 cm. long. Dorsal
sepal oblong-obovate to elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, often apiculate,
8-17 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. wide above the middle. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic-
lanceolate, acuminate, with a conspicuous dorsal keel above the middle extending
as an acuminate apex, about as long and wide as the dorsal sepal. Petals obliquely
oblanceolate-spatulate, obtuse to acute, 11-18 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm. wide near
the apex. Lip adnate to the column to its apex, 1-2 cm. long from the apex to
the base of the column; lamina curved downward, 3-lobed, up to 11 mm. long and
14 mm. across the lateral lobes, cordate-suborbicular in outline; lateral lobes semi-
cordate-ovate; mid-lobe mostly separated from the lateral lobes by a short isthmus,
subtruncate, deeply retuse-bilobulate to obreniform; disk with two fleshy calli
in the center at the base of the lamina, with three fleshy parallel ridges extending
from the calli to near the base of the sinus of the mid-lobe. Column dilated up-
ward, truncate, 7-12 mm. long. Capsule obovoid, up to 4 cm. long.
Chimaltenango: Volcan Acatenango, Hunnewell 14671. San
Martin, Johnston 1466. — Huehuetenango : Cerro Huitz, between
Mimanhuitz and Yulhuitz, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
48653. Above San Juan Ixcoy, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyer-
mark 50024. — Quezaltenango: Volcan Santa Maria, Nelson 3698.
Above Santa Maria, on the road to Quezaltenango, Maxon & Hay
3610. — Sacatepe'quez : San Lucas, Smith 2244. Volcan Fuego, Smith
2635. San Mateo, Johnston 1419. — San Marcos: Rio Vega, near
FIG. 88. Epidendrum anceps. Plant (X 1); 1, flower, spread out (X 3);
2, lip, column, and dorsal sepal (X 3). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
305
306 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
San Rafael and Guatemala-Mexico boundary, Steyermark 36235;
36357. Road to Salvador, common throughout highlands of Guate-
mala, Margaret W. Lewis 56. Along road between San Sebastian at
Km. 21 and Km. 8, 8-18 miles northwest of San Marcos, Steyermark
35748. Along Quebrada Canjula, between Sibinal and Canjula,
Volcan Tacana, Steyermark 36018. Between town of Tajumulco
and Tecutla, slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 36843. — Solola:
Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark 47388. — Suchite-
pequez: Slopes of Volcan Zunil, in vicinity of Finca Montecristo,
southeast of Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark 36256.
Epidendrum arbuscula Lindl. var. radioferens Ames, Hub-
bard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 3: 62. 1935.
Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
Variety radioferens differs from the typical form mainly in having the radiating
veins of the lip carinate-thickened. The flowers are usually larger than those of
typical E. arbuscula.
Chimaltenango: Calderas, Porter 8. San Martin, Johnston 1609.—
Quiche" : Sacabaja, Heyde &Lux 3509. — San Marcos: South and west
of town of Tajumulco, slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark
36551.
Epidendrum aromaticum Batem. Orch. Mex. et Guatem., t.
10. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum incumbens Lindl.
Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 45. 1840 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Encyclia
aromatica (Batem.) Schltr. Orchideen 208. 1914.
Epiphytic on oaks and other trees in forests, up to 1,600 meters
alt. Uncommon in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant stout, glabrous, 2.8-9 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs conical to nearly globular,
often dark purplish brown, 2.5-6.5 cm. long, 3.5-5 cm. in diameter near base,
when young provided with fugaceous scarious sheaths. Leaves 1-2 from the
apex of the pseudobulbs, linear-ligulate, obtuse to subacute, dorsally keeled, con-
duplicate at the base, often dark purplish brown, 15-28 cm. long, 2-4 cm. wide.
Inflorescence a compound panicle, erect, up to 8.3 dm. long including the peduncle;
peduncle provided with close-fitting scarious bracts 4-16 mm. long. Floral bracts
minute, deltoid, acute, deeply concave, 1.5-3 mm. long. Flowers whitish or pale
yellow marked with deep brownish red, with slender pedicellate ovaries 1.3-2 cm.
long. Sepals oblanceolate to elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse to slightly carinate-
mucronate at the apex, 1.1-2 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide above the middle; lateral
sepals somewhat falcate. Petals obliquely obovate to spatulate, obtuse to broadly
rounded at the apex, somewhat recurved, 1.2-2 cm. long, 4.5-8 mm. wide near
the apex. Lip veined with brownish red, deeply 3-lobed, with a very narrow sinus
separating the lateral lobes from the mid-lobe, 1-1.5 cm. long to the base of the
column, united with the base of the column; lateral lobes lanceolate to oblong,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 307
narrowly obtuse, upcurved along the sides of the column, 5-7 mm. long to the
base of the sinus, 2-3 mm. wide; mid-lobe suborbicular, with strongly undulate
margins, 6-7.5 mm. long, 8-9 mm. wide, with the nerves thickened and verrucose;
base of lateral lobes marked by a narrow fleshy sulcate callus 3-5 mm. long, 1.5-2
mm. wide. Column arcuate, tinged with reddish purple, 6-7 mm. long, 2 mm. wide
at the base, slightly expanded but not auricled at the apex.
Escuintla: Escuintla, Johnston 1422. — Guatemala: Near Guate-
mala City, Lewis 84. Guatemala City market, Cocker ell. — Chimal-
tenango: San Martin, Johnston 1580. — Santa Rosa: Chiapas, Heyde
& Lux 4624. — "Guatemala:" Simms. "Growing on oak trees,"
Deam 6073. El Rancho, Maxon & Hay 3772.
Epidendrum atropurpureum Willd. Sp. PL 4: 115. 1805.
Epidendrum macrochilum Hook. var. roseum Batem. Orch. Mex. et
Guatem. t. 17. 1839 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum
longipetalum Godefroy-Lebeuf, Orchidoph. 12: 257. 1892 (type:
Guatemala). Encyclia atropurpurea (Willd.) Schltr. Orchideen 208,
fig. 49. 1914. Figure 89.
Epiphytic on trees and in low thick scrub, usually at low eleva-
tions, up to 900 meters alt. Widespread from Mexico to Panama
and northern South America.
Plant stout, robust, 3-7.5 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs conical to cylindrical, 3-10
cm. long, up to 5 cm. in diameter. Leaves two, arising from the summit of the
pseudobulb, linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, coriaceous, 15-40 cm. long, 2-3.5
cm. wide. Raceme large, showy, up to 6.5 cm. long including the peduncle;
peduncle provided with tight scarious sheaths 6-10 mm. long. Floral bracts
stiff, membranaceous, cuspidate, about 5 mm. long. Flowers very showy with
the lip grading in color from almost pure white to deep purple, with slender
pedicellate ovaries 2-4 cm. long. Sepals dark purplish green or brownish, oblanceo-
late, apiculate, 2.3-3.8 cm. long, 7.5-14 mm. wide above the middle; lateral
sepals somewhat oblique. Petals spatulate, apiculate, 2.5-3.5 cm. long, 9-15 mm.
wide near the apex. Lip deeply 3-lobed, 3-5 (rarely 6) cm. long to the base of
the column, united with the base of the column, with a rather wide sinus separating
the lateral lobes from the mid-lobe; lateral lobes oblong, narrowly obtuse, strongly
nervose, suberect and embracing the column, 1-1.3 cm. long to the base of the
sinus, 5-6 mm. wide; mid-lobe flabellate-obcordate to suborbicular-obovate, deeply
retuse at the apex, somewhat undulate along the margins, submembranaceous,
concave below the middle, with the main nerves raised and thickened, 1.8-4.5 cm.
wide; base of the lateral lobes marked by a flattish elliptic shallowly sulcate
callus up to 12 mm. long and 7 mm. wide. Column broad, arcuate, not auricled,
1.2-1.8 cm. long. Capsule obpyriform, about 4 cm. long and 2 cm. in diameter.
This species is the largest-flowered and doubtless the most
attractive Epidendrum that grows in Guatemala.
Escuintla: Escuintla, Smith 2255. Cuyuta, Smith 2257. Along
or near Rio Michatoya, southeast of Escuintla, Standley 89019;
FIG. 89. Epidendrum atropurpureum. Plant (X
0. Allen.
. Drawn by Dorothy
308
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 309
89066.— Guatemala: Market, Guatemala City, Johnston 1783.
Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., said to have come originally
from Santa Rosa, Steyermark 46384. — Jutiapa: Plains and swampy
ground along railroad, between Agua Blanca and Amatillo, Steyer-
mark 30432. — San Marcos: Cafetal above Rodeo, Steyermark 37935.
Rio Cabus, near Malacatan, Standley 68846. — Suchitepequez : Near
Santo Domingo, south of Mazatenango, Standley 88880. — "Common
in coastal regions:" Margaret W.Lewis 88.
Epidendrum Boothianum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 5. 1838.
Figure 90.
Epiphytic on trees in forests at low elevations. Rare in southern
Florida, Mexico, British Honduras, Bahama Islands and Cuba.
Plant glabrous, consisting of short thick pseudobulbs, which bear at their
summit one to three leaves and a flowering branch in the center, up to 3 dm. tall;
rootstock a short rhizome that gives rise to slender flexuous whitish roots. Pseudo-
bulbs suborbicular, laterally compressed, somewhat inclined, smooth and glossy,
yellow-green, subtended by several short fibrous sheaths, 2.5-3 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm.
wide. Leaves one to three, oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, thin, rigid, somewhat
twisted, keeled on the back and recurved at the apex, articulate with the leaf-
sheath, 7-17 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide above the middle. Racemes laxly few-
flowered, borne on slender peduncles that are subtended by slender linear-oblong
conduplicate foliaceous sheaths; peduncle up to 25 cm. long. Flowers as many
as eight, small but showy, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are up to 1.7 cm.
long. Floral bracts minute, subulate, less than 2 mm. long. Sepals and petals
yellow with reddish brown to magenta-purple irregular blotches. Sepals broadly
to narrowly oblanceolate, acute to subacuminate, with the margins slightly
revolute, 1-1.4 cm. long, 3-3.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals
linear-oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, 1-1.3 cm. long, 1-2 mm. wide near the apex.
Lip greenish yellow and white, occasionally marked with magenta, free from the
column except at the base, subentire or obscurely 3-lobed, rhombic to trapeziform,
with the lobes or angles obtuse and with the lateral angles strongly deflexed, about
1 cm. long and 7 mm. wide; disk with a white three-pointed callus under the
column, with a bulbous-thickened termination of the centrally extended callus
at the apex of the mid-lobe. Column greenish at the base, with purplish brown
blotches, whitish above, strongly longitudinally grooved on each side, 6-7 mm.
long. Capsule ovoid, conspicuously 3-winged, tan-colored and shining, pendent,
2-3 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. in diameter.
No specimen has been seen from Guatemala. However, on the
basis of its occurrence in Mexico and British Honduras and probable
occurrence in Guatemala the species is included here.
Epidendrum Boothii (Lindl.) L. 0. Wms. in Woods. & Seib.
Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 26: 282. 1939. Maxillaria Boothii Lindl. Bot.
Reg. 24: Misc. 52. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Dinemia
FIG. 90. Epidendrum Boothianum. Plant (X 1). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
310
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 311
paleacea Lindl.- Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 51. 1840. (type: Guatemala,
Bateman). Epidendrum auritum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. 4. 1843
(type : Guatemala, Skinner) . Epidendrum paleaceum (Lindl.) Reichb.
f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 80. 1866.
Epiphytic on trees in dense tropical forests, up to 1,350 meters
alt. Widespread from Mexico to Panama; also Cuba and Dutch
Guiana (fide Cogniaux).
Plant small, glabrous, up to 3 dm. tall. Rhizome creeping, concealed when
young by small scarious imbricating scales. Pseudobulbs shortly stipitate, 1-2-
leaved, ellipsoid-cylindrical, somewhat compressed, 2.5-6 cm. long, obliquely
ascending 2-3 cm. apart on the rhizome, when young covered by imbricating
fugaceous sheaths. Leaves bright green, smooth and shining, linear to narrowly
lanceolate, obtuse, thin and rigid, 6-25 cm. long, 8-15 mm. wide. Raceme loosely
few-flowered, 5-15 cm. long including the slender somewhat compressed peduncle.
Floral bracts light brown, scarious, lanceolate, conduplicate, acuminate, up to
3 cm. long. Flowers greenish white or yellowish white, fragrant, with slender
pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2.5 cm. long and covered with dark brown scurvy
glandular-pubescence. Sepals and petals strongly recurved and fleshy-thickened
at the apex. Sepals lanceolate, acuminate, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve,
with the margins somewhat involute at the apex, 12-22 mm. long, 2.3-5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals oblique. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, slightly oblique,
11-15 mm. long, 2.5-4.5 mm. wide near the middle. Lip strongly arcuate below
the middle in natural position, linear-spatulate when spread out, rounded at the
apex, minutely serrulate along the thin whitish margins, prominently carinate
on the lower surface with the carina extending as a sharp apicule at the apex, 9-11
mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide near the apex; disk provided with a pair of linear deep
yellow intramarginal calli on the lower part, with the calli often sulcate. Column
arcuate, 7-8 mm. long, about 4 mm. wide near the apex. Capsule obliquely ellip-
soid, about 2.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 7779; II 124. Chama,
Johnson 458. — Chimaltenango: San Martin, Johnston 1591. — Hue-
huetenango: Along Rio Amelco, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes below
Finca San Rafael, Steyermark 49653. — Izabal: Lewis 9. Between
Milla 49.5 and ridge six miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico,
Steyermark 38527. Between Virginia and Lago Izabal, Montana del
Mico, Steyermark 38729. — Quiche": Sacabaja, Heyde & Lux 3505.—
San Marcos: Rio Ixpal, below Rodeo, Standley 68746. — Santa Rosa:
Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 4614. — Suchitepequez: Slopes of Volcan
Zunil in vicinity of Finca Montecristo, southeast of Santa Maria
de Jesus, Steyermark 35213. — "Guatemala:" cult, from Guatemala,
1888, Reasoner; Marston Bates 12; Schmidt.— Sold in market in
Guatemala City, Lewis 78.
Epidendrum bractescens Lindl. Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 58. 1840;
Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 3:
312 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
63. 1935. Epidendrum aciculare Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 27:
Misc. 46. 1841.
Epiphytic on trees in humid forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Un-
common in Mexico, British Honduras, Guatemala, Honduras and
the Bahamas.
Plant slender, glabrous, 1.2-3.7 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs conical, green, finely
rugose, bifoliate, 1.5-3.5 cm. long, 8-15 mm. in diameter, enveloped by scarious
whitish evanescent sheaths when young. Leaves linear to linear-lanceolate, obtuse
to subacute, somewhat conduplicate-ensiform, glossy, rigid, 8-27 cm. long, 2.5-7
mm. wide. Inflorescence a simple or paniculate raceme, 5-15- or more-flowered,
1.3-3.5 dm. long including the slender peduncle; peduncle provided with close-
fitting tubular scarious acuminate sheaths 3-10 mm. long. Floral bracts small,
2-3 mm. long, ovate-cucullate, acute, scarious. Flowers showy, with slender
pedicellate ovaries 1-2.5 cm. long. Sepals green-yellow with reddish brown
nerves to brick red, linear-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, with the
apex often suboblique and recurved, 1.6-3.1 cm. long, 3-4.2 mm. wide above the
middle; lateral sepals oblique and subfalcate. Petals obliquely narrowly oblanceo-
late, acuminate, 1.6-2.8 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide near the apex. Lip with its
base united to the base of the column, deeply 3-lobed, 1.5-2.3 cm. long; lateral
lobes deep magenta, linear-oblong, obtuse to subacute, porrect to clasp the column,
7-9 mm. long to base of sinus, 1.2-2 mm. wide; mid-lobe yellowish white with
numerous purplish nerves, separated from the lateral lobes by a prominent isthmus
about 4 mm. long and 3 mm. wide with two narrow submarginal calli running its
entire length, suborbicular-obovate to broadly flabellate, retuse to somewhat
apiculate at the apex, irregularly undulate-crenulate along the margins, 8-15 mm.
wide. Column slightly incurved, tridentate at the apex, with a small auricle on
each side near the summit, dark green or yellowish with reddish spots, 7.5-11 mm.
long. Capsule ellipsoid, tapering at both ends, about 2.5 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Forest bordering savanna on south side of Cerro
Chinaja, between Sachaj and Sacacac, Steyermark 45162. Cerro
Chinaja, between Finca Yalpemech and Chinaja, above source of
Rio San Diego, Steyermark 45633. — Izabal: Between Milla 49.5 and
ridge six miles from Izabal, Montana del Mico, Steyermark 38526.
Los Andes District, near Entre Rios, Lewis 45. Near Puerto Barrios,
Standley 73096. Quirigua, Lewis 46. — Pete"n: La Libertad, Lundell
2274. Sabana Zizha, La Libertad, Lundell 2711. — Eastern portions
of Verapaz and Chiquimula: Watson.
Epidendrum Brassavolae Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 10: 729. 1852
(as "Brasavolae").
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 2,400 meters alt. Uncommon
from Mexico to Panama.
Plant stout, glabrous, up to 6 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs from large stout rhizomes,
somewhat fusiform-cylindrical or pyriform-elongate, compressed, bifoliate, 3-20
cm. long, enveloped by large scarious evanescent sheaths when young. Leaves
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 313
oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, coriaceous, 12-26 cm.
long, 2.5-4.5 cm. wide. Raceme showy, 6-9-flowered, 1-5.5 dm. long including
the stout peduncle, enclosed at the base in a large brownish compressed spathaceous
sheath 5-20 cm. long; peduncle provided with small scarious ovate-cucullate apicu-
late bracts up to 8 mm. long. Floral bracts small, triangular-ovate, acute, scarious,
3-4.5 mm. long. Flowers rather large, showy, with stout pedicellate ovaries 2.5-
3.2 cm. long. Sepals and petals spreading, linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate,
deep yellowish brown or rarely greenish, coriaceous, reflexed above the middle;
sepals 4.2-5.5 cm. long, 3-5.5 mm. wide near the base; petals often filiform-
attenuate above the middle, falcate, 4-5 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide below the middle.
Lip with a long linear-oblong claw, entire, 3.5-5 cm. long including the claw;
lamina ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, somewhat cuneate at the base, acuminate
at the apex, 1-1.5 cm. wide near the base; disk with a furcate callus on the claw,
which gives way to a central keel extending the entire length of the lamina. Column
slightly arcuate, dilated above, mottled and spotted with purple, about 1.3 cm.
long, conspicuously 3-toothed at the apex; lateral teeth stout, triangular-semi-
lunate; central tooth spatulate with the margins serrulate.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnson 735; I/em's 163.
Epidendrum campylostalix Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 10: 730.
1852.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rare in
Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant rather stout, short, up to 40 cm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid to ellipsoid,
strongly compressed, glaucous-green when young, unifoliate, 3.5-10.5 cm. long,
3-4 cm. wide near the base, subtended and partly enveloped by several lanceolate
acuminate membranaceous sheaths that are fugaceous with age. Leaf oblong to
elliptic, obtuse to subacute, coriaceous, dark green above, very glaucous on the
lower surface, 9-30 cm. long, 2.5-8 cm. wide. Inflorescence a loosely flowered
raceme or panicle with several branches, 10-38 cm. long including the peduncle,
enveloped at the base in a membranaceous spathe 3-6 cm. long; peduncle provided
with several lanceolate bracts up to 2 cm. long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
scarious, 5-25 mm. long. Flowers somewhat nodding and spreading, showy,
with slender pedicels 7-12 mm. long; ovary sharply 3-angled. Sepals and petals
similar, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, glaucous and grayish green on the outer
surface, dull wine-colored within, 1.2-2.5 cm. long, 1.5-3.5 mm. wide below the
middle; petals slightly shorter and narrower than the sepals. Lip obscurely or
deeply 3-lobed, from a long narrow claw, united with the column at the base, pure
white with reddish spots near the base, 1.2-2 cm. long; lateral lobes short and
rounded or oblong and obtuse with a deep sinus separating them from the mid-
lobe, up to 3 mm. long to the base of the sinus, 1-3 mm. wide; mid-lobe more or
less orbicular, broadly rounded or subapiculate at the apex, 4.5-6 mm. wide,
occasionally separated from the lateral lobes by a broad isthmus; disk with a
fleshy callus on the claw just below the lateral lobes giving rise to three small
carinae that extend partly into the mid-lobe. Column about 9 mm. long, green
and reddish purple marked with red spots, 3-lobulate at the apex. Capsule
conspicuously 3-winged, ovoid, about 2.5 cm. long.
314 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Guatemala (fide Summerhayes; fide Schlechter, Beih. Bot.
Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 459. 1918).
Epidendrum Candollei Lindl. Bot. Reg. 25: Misc. 55. 1839.
Epiphytic on trees in open forests and on coffee trees in planta-
tions, up to 1,700 meters alt. Found only in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant large, coarse. Pseudobulb globose to ovoid, up to 8 cm. long and 3.5
cm. in diameter, concealed by several chartaceous-fibrous imbricated sheaths.
Leaves two or three at the apex of the pseudobulb, ligulate to narrowly lanceolate,
obtuse, coriaceous, up to 35 cm. long and 4 cm. wide. Panicle laxly many-flowered;
peduncle from the apex of the pseudobulb, stout, provided with several small
clasping acute bracts that are about 1 cm. long. Floral bracts minute, ovate, ob-
tuse, concave, about 2 mm. long. Flowers with slender pedicellate ovaries that
are up to 2.5 cm. long, fragrant. Sepals and petals yellowish green. Sepals
oblanceolate to elliptic-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, 1.2-1.8 cm. long, 3.5-5
mm. wide above the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely spatulate
or oblanceolate, rounded and obliquely subapiculate at the apex, 1.2-1.7 cm. long,
4.5-7 mm. wide near the apex. Lip white or yellowish with dull purple streaks,
barely attached to the base of the column, rhombic-obovate to broadly cuneate-
obovate in outline, 3-lobed below the middle with inconspicuous sinuses, venose,
1-1.6 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. wide across the lateral lobes when spread out; lateral
lobes elliptic, obtuse, free for as much as 6 mm., overlapping the mid-lobe, some-
what cordate at the base, in natural position upcurved to embrace the column;
mid-lobe suborbicular to suborbicular-flabellate, rounded to shortly acuminate
at the apex, pleated on the margins, with the veins raised into small fleshy lamellae
that are irregularly broken and papillose; disk with an elliptic-obovate sulcate
callus between the lateral lobes, the callus up to 6.5 mm. long. Column arcuate,
dorsally keeled with the keel extended at the apex as an apicule, ventrally sulcate,
about 6 mm. long.
Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., Guatemala,
"said to have come originally from San Antonio de Flores in Dept.
Guatemala," Steyermark 46383a.
Epidendrum Carolii Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 19: 35, 117.
1923.
Epiphytic on trees and on rocks in forests, up to 2,000 meters
alt. Found in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant small, caespitose, usually pendent, from a slender stalked base, up to
4.5 dm. tall; roots coarse, fleshy, simple, white, glabrous. Stem claviform, com-
pressed and sharply carinate, concealed by scarious tubular sheaths, up to 9 cm.
long. Leaves two or more, aggregated at the summit of the stem, elliptic to elliptic-
oblong, obtuse-apiculate to acute, clasping the stem at the base, rigidly coriaceous,
up to 8 cm. long and 2 cm. wide. Peduncle slender, ancipitous, somewhat fracti-
flex, nearly concealed by long compressed clasping sheaths. Raceme slender,
simple or sometimes branched, few-flowered. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate,
about 5 mm. long. Flowers small, greenish brown or purplish brown with a yellow-
ish lip, with short stout pedicellate ovaries that are about 5 mm. long. Sepals
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 315
elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 3-nerved, 6-6 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm.
wide; lateral sepals oblique, concave. Petals obliquely elliptic or linear, obtuse,
1-nerved, with the margins more or less minutely erose, 4.5-5 mm. long, 1-2 mm.
wide. Lip fleshy, cordate-ovate, conduplicate and rounded to obtuse at the apex,
with the sides upcurved in natural position to envelop the column above, 3.5-5
mm. long, 4.5-5 mm. wide when spread out; disk with a fleshy hump in the middle.
Column about 2 mm. long, pale green with purplish striations on the dorsal side.
Capsule suborbicular-ellipsoid, up to 2 cm. long, erect.
Chiquimula: Near Conception de las Minas, Margaret W.Lewis
130.
Epidendrum centropetalum Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 10: 732.
1852. Epidendrum aberrans Schltr. in Fedde, Repert. Sp. Nov. 15:
206. 1918 (type: Guatemala, December, 1875, Bernoulli & Carlo
456).
Terrestrial or epiphytic, in moist forests, up to 2,400 meters alt.
Uncommon in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant reed-like, erect, occasionally branched above, up to 7.5 dm. tall, in
sparse clumps. Stem leafy above the middle, concealed by leaf-sheaths that are
rugose- verru cose; sheaths up to 3 cm. long. Leaves distichous, spreading, ligulate-
lanceolate, narrowly obtuse to acuminate, glabrous, clasping the stem at the base,
subcoriaceous to membranous, up to 6 cm. long and 1.7 cm. wide. Raceme
loosely few-flowered, erect, up to 10 cm. long including the peduncle, rarely
branched. Floral bracts deltoid, acuminate, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers small,
erect-spreading, glabrous, variously colored dull pale red or dark pink to yellowish
green, occasionally brilliant rose-purple, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are
up to 1.5 cm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic, obtuse to acute-apiculate, longitudinally
concave, dorsally carinate above the middle, 8-10 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide;
lateral sepals oblique. Petals narrowly and obliquely oblanceolate-spatulate,
obtuse to subacute, somewhat dorsally carinate near the apex, 8-9 mm. long, 1.5-
2.3 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to lower part of column, deeply 3-lobed,
the main body sigmoid in outline, up to 10 mm. long to base of column; lateral
lobes oblong, falcate, more or less retuse at the apex, upcurved along side of
column, about 3 mm. long and 1.2 mm. wide; mid-lobe separated from the lateral
lobes by a short narrow isthmus, deeply and prominently bilobulate with an
apical mucro usually in the sinus, with the lobules about equal in length to the
lateral lobes and more or less antrorse, always strongly divaricate, up to 8 mm.
wide across the lobules when they are spread out; disk with a pair of short narrow
yellow coalescent calli between the lateral lobes. Column abruptly recurved about
the middle, conduplicate-sulcate, crenate at the apex, 7-8 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide when spread out, reddish over lower half, upper half white with two minute
red spots on the anterior side of the apex. Capsule obliquely ellipsoidal, about 2
cm. long.
Chiquimula: Slopes of Montana Norte to El Jutal, on Cerro
Brujo, southeast of Conception de las Minas, Steyermark 31003.—
Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, Johnston & Porter (Lewis 202).
Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley 58439. — Jutiapa:
316 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Volcan Suchitan, northwest of Asuncion Mita, Steyermark 31924. —
Sacatepe"quez : Antigua, Johnston 1314.
Epidendrum cerinum Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt.
2: 402. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Coban, June, 1913, Turckheim 4179).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,550 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant erect, about 40 cm. tall. Stem leafy, somewhat branched, concealed
by close-fitting leaf sheaths, about 3 mm. in diameter. Leaves erect-spreading,
oblong-ligulate, acute, 7-11 cm. long, 1.6-2 cm. wide. Inflorescence terminal,
short, laxly few-flowered, on a short peduncle. Floral bracts erect-spreading,
lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the pedicellate ovaries. Flowers large, erect-
spreading. Sepals erect-spreading, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous,
2.4 cm. long; lateral sepals oblique, the lower margin somewhat dilated below the
middle. Petals linear-ligulate, acute to acuminate, subfalcate-ascending, a little
shorter than the sepals. Lip with a ligulate claw 7 mm. long, adnate to the column;
lamina broadly ovate, apiculate, rotundate at the base, minutely papillose-
denticulate along the margins, 2.5 cm. long, about 2 cm. wide below the middle
when spread out; disk with two parallel keels extending and tapering from the
base of the lamina to the apex. Column thick, about 7 mm. long, dilated upward,
with a pair of triangular-rhombic auricles on the anterior surface at apex. Pedicel-
late ovary about 1.3 cm. long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum chinense (Lindl.) Ames, Sched. Orch. 7: 4. 1924.
Broughtonia chinensis Lindl. in Hook. Lond. Journ. 1: 492. 1842
(type: Guatemala, Hinds, fide Reichb. f.). Epidendrum strophinx
Reichb. f. Linnaea 41: 78. 1876 (type: Guatemala, Hort. Schiller).
Epiphytic on trees in open or damp forests, or on dry brushy
hills, up to 1,600 meters alt. Rather common from Mexico through
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to Costa Rica.
Plant slender, erect or erect-ascending, densely caespitose, from a dense mat
of large coarse roots, mostly less than 40 cm. tall, rarely up to 70 cm. tall. Stem
fusiform, usually defoliated at time of flowering, 2.5-15 cm. long, 3.5-10 mm. in
diameter, more or less concealed by the whitish scarious leaf-sheaths. Leaves
(when present) linear to oblong-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, articulate and
early deciduous, up to 14 cm. long and 3.2 cm. wide below the middle. Inflores-
cence variable, one-flowered or a simple or compound raceme terminating an
elongated slender peduncle; raceme laxly few- to many-flowered, up to 11 cm.
long, the rachis usually reddish brown; peduncle concealed by long tubular scarious
closely appressed sheaths that are fugaceous. Floral bracts and bracts subtending
the floral branches narrowly triangular-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, scarious,
up to 10 mm. long. Flowers 4-9 mm. apart, rather small and showy, with filiform
pedicellate ovaries 1.5-2 cm. long. Sepals spreading, narrowly elliptic to elliptic-
lanceolate, narrowly obtuse to acute at the slightly thickened and recurved apex,
the margins involute especially at the apex, cream-white or pinkish, 8-15 mm.
long, 1.5-3 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals spreading, linear-elliptic to
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 317
linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to shortly acuminate, slightly oblique, 8-14 mm.
long, 2-3.5 mm. wide. Lip simple, rhombic-ovate to elliptic-obovate, broadly
rounded to short-acute at the apex, pale yellow with purplish or brownish red
markings, the margins upcurved-involute around the column, 7-16 mm. long,
5.5-10.5 mm. wide; disk with a sulcate plate-like callus at the base, provided with
three longitudinal nerves in the center with the lateral nerves giving off lateral
branches, all of the nerves more or less verruculose. Column short, crenate at
the apex, 3-4 mm. long. Capsule obovoid-ellipsoidal, about 2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Along Rio Polochic, near Pancajche", Standley
91926. — Guatemala: Fiscal, Johnston 1683. Near Fiscal, Standley
80352. — Quezaltenango: Coatepeque, Lewis 49 (in part). — San
Marcos: Palo Gordo, Morton 425. — Santa Rosa: Near Los Esclavos
Bridge, road to Salvador, Lewis 49 (in part).— Zacapa: Gualan,
Deam 212.
Epidendrum Chloe Reichb. f. Bonpl. 4: 327. 1856 (type:
Guatemala, 1885, Skinner). Epidendrum culmiforme Schltr. in Fedde,
Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 485. 1912 (type: Guatemala, in Pansamala,
February, 1887, Tiirckheim 804).
Epiphytic on trees, usually at high elevations, up to 3,300 meters
alt. Rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant slender, erect, grass-like, up to 40 cm. tall, glabrous. Stem leafy above,
less than 2 mm. in diameter, concealed by long membranaceous tubular sheaths
that become fibrous with age. Leaves erect-spreading, linear, acuminate, up to
13 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Raceme densely few-flowered, up to 7 cm. long in-
cluding the short peduncle. Floral bracts filiform-lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate,
up to 7 mm. long. Flowers bronze or reddish green, erect-spreading, with slender
pedicellate ovaries that are about 1.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, apiculate,
dorsally carinate, with the margins reflexed, denticulate on the upper margin,
8-13 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely linear
to linear-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, minutely denticulate along the somewhat
reflexed margins, 8-12 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip with a linear claw about
5 mm. long, adnate to the column; lamina decurved, ovate, obtuse to subacute,
often broadly cuneate at the base, minutely and irregularly denticulate along the
margins, 5-6 mm. long, 4-5.2 mm. wide; disk tricarinate, the lateral keels shorter
than the center one. Column dilated toward the apex, somewhat undulate-
crenate along the apical margin, 4.5-7 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, about 2 cm.
long and 1 cm. in diameter.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2489. — El Progreso: Sierra de
las Minas, hills between Finca Piamonte and slopes southeast of
Finca Piamonte, Steyermark 43407. Sierra de las Minas, cloud
forest, hills north of Finca Piamonte, between Piamonte and summit
of Volcan Santa Luisa, Steyermark 43489. — Suchitepequez : Volcan
Zunil, Skutch 941; 956. Volcan Santa Clara, between Finca El
Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark 46748. — Zacapa: Bordering
318 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Quebrada Alejandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of
Finca Alejandria, Steyermark 29885.
Epidendrum chondylobulbon A. Rich. & Gal. Ann. Sci. Nat.
ser. 3, 3: 20. 1845.
Epiphytic on trees in humid forests, up to 2,000 meters alt.
Found only in Mexico and Guatemala.
Plant from a thick abbreviated rhizome, up to about 5 dm. tall. Pseudobulb
fusiform, compressed, from a short stalk, subtended by several imbricated clasping
sheaths, up to 15 cm. long and 1.8 cm. wide. Leaves three to five at the apex of
the pseudobulb, linear to narrowly linear-lanceolate, obtuse, subcoriaceous, up
to 35 cm. long and 2 cm. wide. Peduncle from the apex of the pseudobulb, con-
cealed by one or more spathaceous sheaths that are up to 11 cm. long; raceme
few-flowered. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, about 1 cm. long.
Flowers yellowish with purple radiating stripes on the lip, with stout pedicellate
ovaries that are up to 2.5 cm. long. Sepals and petals spreading. Sepals lanceo-
late, long-acuminate, 2.5-3.7 cm. long, 3.5-6 mm. wide below the middle; lateral
sepals slightly oblique and shorter than the dorsal sepal. Petals lanceolate,
acuminate, 2-3 cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide. Lip with a short claw, cordate-ovate,
abruptly long-acuminate, concave below with the lateral margins upcurved, 1.2-
1.8 cm. long, about 8 mm. wide across the base; disk with a flat fleshy callus in
the center near the base. Column 5-6 mm. long, bilobulate at the apex with
the dorsal keel terminating in an apicule between the lobes. Capsule large, about
4 cm. long, prominently 3-angled with the angles somewhat winged.
This species is closely allied to E. radiatum. However, the dif-
ferently shaped floral segments readily separate them.
Baja Verapaz: Rocky hills near and above Santa Rosa, Standley
91254. — Huehuetenango: Northwest of Cuilco, two-thirds of the
way up Cerro Chiquihuil above Carrizal, Steyermark 50822. Between
Las Palmas and Chacula, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
51762.
Epidendrum ciliare L. Syst. Nat. ed. 10: 1246. 1759. Figure 91.
Commonly on rocks, also epiphytic on trees in forests, up to
2,000 meters alt. Widespread and quite common from Mexico to
Panama, throughout the West Indies and northern South America.
Plant coarse, stout, caespitose, 2-6 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs stipitate, fusiform
or cylindrical, arising from a creeping rhizome, somewhat compressed, articulate,
1-2-leaved, 5-16 cm. long, up to 2 cm. wide, when young covered by membrana-
ceous imbricated fugaceous sheaths. Leaves elliptic-oblong, obtuse, rarely with
a cusp at the apex, coriaceous and rigid, glossy, 8-28 cm. long, 2.5-8 cm. wide.
Raceme loosely few-flowered, often somewhat fractiflex, up to 25 cm. long includ-
ing the peduncle; peduncle concealed by rather large imbricating, somewhat
maculate conduplicate sheaths 4-6 cm. long. Floral bracts large, membranaceous,
complanate, yellow-green, often maculate, rarely viscid, 3.5-6.5 cm. long. Flowers
EPIDENDRUM
FIG. 91. Epidendrum ciliare. Plant (X 1). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
319
320 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
white, large, disposed alternately and complanately on the raceme, with slender
somewhat arcuate pedicellate ovaries that are 5-8 cm. long. Sepals linear-lanceo-
late, long-acuminate, with the margins strongly reflexed, pale green, yellowish
or rarely purplish, 4-9 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide below the middle. Petals narrowly
elliptic-lanceolate, long-acuminate to filiform above the middle, antrorsely curved
inward, similar in color to the sepals, 4-8 cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide near the middle.
Lip adnate to the lower half of the column, white, deeply 3-lobed, with a deeply
sulcate claw 5-8 mm. long; lateral lobes semicordate in outline, falcate, porrect,
entire on the inner margin, deeply and irregularly lacerate-fringed on the outer
margin, 1.7-4 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide; mid-lobe filiform, needle-like, rigid, rarely
linear-lanceolate and long-acuminate with the margins serrulate, 2.5-6 cm. long,
about 1 mm. wide at the base; disk with 2 erect flap-like keels extending from the
base of the claw to the base of the mid-lobe, then with a linear keel extending the
greater length of the mid-lobe. Column 1.7-2.3 cm. long, dilated and strongly
arcuate above, coarsely and irregularly denticulate at the apex, with an obtuse
angle on each side near the summit. Capsule fusiform, 4-6 cm. long.
Chimaltenango: San Martin, Johnston 1243. Between Chimal-
tenango and San Martin, Porter 4. — Guatemala: In canyon, Deam
6095. Guatemala-Virginia, Spinden. Road to Moran, Lewis 63;
1939; Ignacio Aguilar 262; 407. — Huehuetenango : Above canyon of
Paso del Boqueron, along Rio Trapichillo, below La Libertad, Steyer-
mark 51203. Between San Rafael and Barillas, Sierra de los Cu-
chumatanes, Steyermark 49691. Distr. Nenton, Seler 2315. — Jalapa:
Mountains about Chagiiite, northwest of Jalapa, Standley 77491. —
Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 3486.
The following specimens are in fruit but probably represent this
species: Guatemala: Near Fiscal, Standley 80398. — Huehuetenango:
Northwest of Malacatancito, at Km. 8 of the highway from Huehue-
tenango, Standley 82225. — Jalapa: Brushy oak slopes of Cerro
Alcoba, east of Jalapa, Standley 77196.
Epidendrum Clowesii Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 30: Misc. 16.
1844 (type: Guatemala, Bateman). Epidendrum flavovirens Reichb.
f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 85. 1866, non Regel (type: Guatemala,
Las Nubes, Wendland 321). Epidendrum chlorops Reichb. f. Gard.
Chron. n. s. 14: 524. 1880. Epidendrum piestocaulos Schltr. in Fedde,
Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 207. 1918 (type: Guatemala, Las Cruces, Costa
Grande, Bernoulli & Carlo 648).
Epiphytic on trees in humid oak forests, up to 2,100 meters alt.
Rather common in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Plant erect, caespitose, glabrous, up to 6 dm. tall. Stem mostly stout, terete
below, somewhat compressed above, concealed by the scarious tubular leaf-
sheaths. Leaves sessile, articulate, erect-spreading, oblong-elliptic to linear-
lanceolate, subobtuse to acuminate, largest near the inflorescence, somewhat
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 321
coriaceous, up to 15 cm. long and 4.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a simple or rarely
compound raceme, loosely many-flowered, the individual racemes up to 6.5 cm.
in diameter; peduncle short or elongate, usually concealed by a series of long narrow
conduplicate bracts up to 2.5 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate to lanceolate, acute
to acuminate, 2-6 mm. long. Flowers yellowish white, small, with slender smooth
pedicellate ovaries that are up to 1.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic to oblong-spatulate,
obtuse to mucronate at the apex, with prominent veins, otherwise smooth, weakly
keeled on the back near the apex, 8-13 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide; lateral sepals
somewhat oblique. Petals linear to narrowly spatulate, obtuse, 8-10 mm. long,
less than 1.5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip white, adnate to the column, 1-1.5 cm.
long including the column, distinctly 3-lobed, 6-10 mm. wide across the lateral
lobes when spread out; lateral lobes suborbicular-quadrate, with the margins more
or less undulate-crenate, about 3 mm. long and 3.5 mm. wide; mid-lobe oblong-
quadrate, bifurcate at the apex, 3-4 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm. wide; disk prominently
venose, with the central keel extending from between the short lateral calli at the
apex of the column to the sinus at the apex of the mid-lobe. Column dilated at
the apex, somewhat arcuate, green near the base, fading to white above, about
6 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to E. polyanthum, which perhaps
should be considered only varietally different. The most obvious
difference in the two species is that E. Clowesii has smooth sepals
and pedicellate ovaries, whereas those of E. polyanthum are verrucose.
The specimen reported from Guatemala as E. porphyreum Lindl. ex
Hook, (a native of Ecuador) by Hemsley in Godman and Salvin,
Biol. Centr.-Am. Bot. 3 : 238. 1883, is in reality this species.
Chimaltenango: Region of Las Calderas, Standley 57838. — Quezal-
tenango: Slopes of Volcan de Zunil, at and above Aguas Amargas,
Standley 65454. — Retalhuleu: Retalhuleu, Kellerman 6036. — Santa
Rosa: Naranjo, Heyde & IMX 4272. Estanzuela, Heyde & Lux
4275. Near bridge over Los Esclavos River, Lewis 89. — Zacapa: Oak-
pine woods along upper reaches of Rio Sitio Nuevo, between Santa
Rosalia and first waterfall, Steyermark 42255. — "Guatemala:" Heyde
& Lax 270; 273.
Epidendrum cnemidophorum Lindl. Fol. Orch. Epid. 53.
1853 (type: Guatemala, Skinner}. Epidendrum affine Reichb. f.
Bonpl. 4: 327. 1856 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum
macrobotryum Lindl. ex Reichb. f. Bonpl. 4: 327. 1856 (type: Guate-
mala, August 16, 1854, Skinner). Encyclia affinis (Reichb. f.) Schltr.
Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 471. 1918.
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Plant robust, growing in clumps, up to 18 dm. tall. Stem stout, leafy, up
to 3 cm. thick. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate or sometimes acute, dark green,
322 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
glossy, up to 30 cm. long and 5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a many-flowered
simple or compound arcuate raceme, about 15 cm. long; peduncle concealed by
long, sheathing, imbricating pale green spathes. Floral bracts lanceolate, acumi-
nate, canaliculate, scarious, 9-13 mm. long. Flowers rose-purple, fleshy, with
whitish pedicellate ovaries that are up to 5 cm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic to
oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse, fleshy, white on the outer surface, yellow mottled
with reddish brown within, 1.3-2 cm. long, 5-7 mm. wide when spread out; dorsal
sepal somewhat canaliculate. Petals linear to obliquely linear-spatulate, obtuse
to acute, fleshy, 1.5-2 cm. long, 1-5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to
the column, 3-lobed, fleshy, creamy white with a rosy tint, 1.5-2 cm. long from
apex to base of column, 1-1.6 cm. wide across the lateral lobes when spread out;
lateral lobes dolabriform or suborbicular, with the margins entire or somewhat
undulate, 6-8 mm. long, 4-7 mm. wide; mid-lobe cuneate, 4-7 mm. long, deeply
cleft into two linear to quadrate obtuse lobules that are strongly divergent, the
lobules up to 7 mm. long to the sinus; disk prominently venose, with two short
fleshy calli at the base, with a thickened central keel extending from between the
basal calli to the sinus at the apex of the mid-lobe. Column strongly arcuate,
clavate, about 1.2 cm. long.
This is a variable species in regard to the size, number and shape
of the large imbricating spathes subtending the inflorescence, in the
density of the inflorescence and in the shape of the lateral lobes and
the mid-lobe of the lip.
Alta Verapaz: Pansamala, Turckheim 1143. — San Marcos: Above
Finca El Porvenir, between "Todos Santos Chiquitos" and "Loma
de la Paloma," south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark
37259. — Suchitepequez: Volcan Santa Clara, between Finca El
Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyermark 46622. — "Guatemala:"
Skinner.
Epidendrum cobanense Ames & Schltr. Sched. Orch. 5: 27.
fig. 1. 1923 (type: Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, Coban, May, 1908,
Turckheim II 1612). Figure 79.
Epiphytic on trees and on rocks in humid forests, up to 2,400
meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant caespitose, erect-ascending, up to 40 cm. tall. Stem simple, slender,
about 3.5 mm. thick, concealed by tubular leaf-sheaths that become brown and
scarious with progressive defoliation. Leaves several to many, articulated to the
tubular sheaths, distichous, obliquely ascending, somewhat recurved, semiterete,
fleshy, 3-9 cm. long, up to 6 mm. in diameter, the uppermost leaf subtending the
spathaceous bracts of the inflorescence. Inflorescence a solitary flower at the
summit of each stem. Flowers fleshy-succulent, olive-green to orange-yellow, or
brownish, with stout pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2 cm. long, the ovaries com-
pletely concealed by two ample spathe-like scarious imbricating bracts that are
up to 3 cm. long and sessile in the axil of the uppermost leaf. Sepals fleshy, ligu-
late-oblong, obtuse to acute, with the margins more or less revolute, often weakly
keeled on the back near the apex, 1-1.4 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Petals fleshy-
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 323
thickened, narrowly oblong-elliptic, acute, sharply reflexed at the tip, somewhat
triangular in cross section above the middle, 1-1.2 cm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide.
Lip distinctly 3-lobed, up to 1.3 cm. long; lateral lobes rounded or obtuse in front,
in curved-erect, closely appressed to the column, thinner than the mid-lobe, up
to 6.5 mm. long; mid-lobe subterete or obscurely quadrangular, tapering to the
acute apex, sharply deflexed or decurved, up to 6.5 mm. long and 2 mm. wide,
rugose when dry; disk somewhat concave, callose beneath the column. Column
fleshy, 4-5 mm. long.
In general aspect this species suggests Epidendrum teretifolium,
from which it differs conspicuously in the structure of the lip and
in the size of the bracts of the inflorescence.
Alta Verapaz: Samac, Johnson 321. Tactic, Johnston 1832.—
Huehuetenango: Cerro Huitz, between Mimanhuitz and Yulhuitz,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 48620. — Quezaltenango:
Between Quebrada Chicharro and Montana Chicharro, slopes of
Volcan Santa Maria, Steyermark 34346. — San Marcos: Above Finca
El Porvenir, up Cerro de Mono, slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyer-
mark 37369. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along Rillito del Volcan
de Monos, Volcan de Monos, Steyermark 42398. Sierra de las Minas,
upper slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, Steyermark
42525. — Road to Mataquescuintla, about twenty miles from Guate-
mala, Margaret W. Lewis 112.
Epidendrum cochleatum L. Sp. PI. ed. 2: 1351. 1763, excl.
Sloane synon. Figure 92 (var. triandrum).
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests, usually at low elevations,
up to 1,900 meters alt. Widespread and common from Mexico to
Panama, throughout the West Indies and northern South America.
Plant glabrous, stout, 0.8-5.8 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs more or less stipitate,
ovoid or cylindrical-elliptic, greatly compressed, bearing 1-3 leaves at the summit,
3.5-21 cm. long, 2.5-3.5 cm. wide, clothed by scarious fugaceous sheaths when
young. Leaves oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate,
10-46 cm. long, 1.3-6 cm. wide. Inflorescence a loosely few-flowered raceme or
rarely paniculate with several branches, up to 45 cm. long including the peduncle;
peduncle subtended at the base by 1-2 spathaceous sheaths that are up to 10 cm.
long, provided with lanceolate bracts above. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, concave, membranaceous, 5-11 mm. long. Flowers showy,
with rather stout pedicellate ovaries that are 1-4 cm. long. Sepals and petals
greenish white or greenish yellow, with purplish blotches near the base, linear-
lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate, twisted and strongly reflexed, somewhat tri-
angular-thickened at the apex; sepals 2.8-7 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide near the base;
petals 2.3-5.5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide near the base. Lip spreading from the middle
of the column, entire, deep purple with the basal central portion whitish, with
conspicuous radiating purple veins, broadly orbicular-cordate, cochleate (shape
similar to one valve of a clam shell), deeply concave, with a mucro at the apex and
FIG. 92. Epidendrum cochleatum var. triandrum. Plant (X %)', 1, column,
front view, to show the three anthers (X 2); 2, cross section of capsule (X 1);
3, fruits (X 1). This plant has three anthers instead of one; otherwise, it is the
same as the typical form. Drawn by Blanche Ames.
324
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 325
with the margins somewhat undulate, 1.2-2.3 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm. wide; disk with
two yellowish calli at the base. Column flecked with purple below, greenish yellow
or whitish above, short, stout, somewhat dilated above, 3-toothed at the apex,
6-10 mm. long. Capsule yellowish brown, ellipsoid to obovoid, recurved, pendent,
3-angled, with the angles broadly winged, 2-4 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Chajrax, Turckheim 1380. Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim
7679. Chama, Johnson 424. Finca Volcan, Ixt<§, Wilson 236.
Finca Transvaal, Wilson 311. — Guatemala: Fiscal, Deam 6094.
Guatemala-Virginia, Spinden. Guatemala Market, Johnston 1479.—
Huehuetenango: Pueblo Vie jo Quen Santo, Seler 2328. Rocky
slopes above La Libertad, on Cerro Pueblo Viejo, Steyermark 51006.—
Izabal: Los Andes district, near Entre Rios, Margaret W. Lewis 143.
Vicinity of Quirigua, Standley 24461. Jungle between Escobas and
waterfall, across bay from Puerto Barrios, Steyermark 39850. Be-
tween Dartmouth and Morales towards Lago Izabal, Montana del
Mico, Steyermark 39076. Along Rio Frio, Cerro San Gil, Steyermark
39970.— Pet^n: Tikal, Bartlett 12588. La Libertad, Lundell 2577.
La Libertad, Chicbul, Lundell 2623. La Libertad and vicinity,
M, Aguilar 334.— Quezaltenango: San Carlos, Tonduz 182. — Zacapa:
Sierra de las Minas, between Santa Rosalia de Marmol and San
Lorenzo, Steyermark 43143-
Epidendrum collare Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. 60. 1843 (type:
Guatemala, Hartweg}.
Probably an epiphyte. Rare in Guatemala.
Stem fusiform-elongate, 3-leaved, stout and deeply furrowed, 45 cm. long.
Leaves spreading, coriaceous, canaliculate. Raceme loosely few-flowered, the
rachis 5 cm. long. Floral bracts triangular-subulate, acute, about 3 mm. long.
Flowers white, changing to yellow and brown with age, with slender pedicellate
ovaries about 3 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, undulate,
about 2 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Petals linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute,
undulate, about 1.6 cm. long and 2.5 mm. wide. Lip entire, ovate, obtuse to
truncate-retuse at the apex, undulate, decurved above the middle, about 2.8 cm.
long and 1.3 cm. wide; disk trilamellate at the base with the lateral yellowish
lamellae bilobed. Column prominently cuniculate, about 1 cm. long; clinandrium
margin elevated and standing up like a collar, denticulate along the apical margin.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum condylochilum Lehm. & Kranzl. in Engl. Bot.
Jahrb. 26: 459. 1899. Epidendrum Deamii Schltr. Beih. Bot. Cen-
tralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 402. 1918 (type: Guatemala, growing on rocks
in ravine, Fiscal, June 6, 1909, Deam 6198). Epidendrum tesselatum
Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 7. 1838, non Roxb. (type:
326 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Guatemala, Skinner). Encyclia tesselata (Batem.) Schltr. Beih. Bot.
Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 474. 1918.
On trees and rocks in humid forest or on rocks and cactus trees
in sunny locations, up to 1,650 meters alt. Rather common from
Guatemala to Panama; also Colombia and Venezuela.
Plant rather slender, light green, glabrous, up to 9 dm. tall. Rhizomes slender,
covered by somewhat imbricated whitish scarious sheaths when young. Pseudo-
bulbs stipitate, obliquely fusiform, ovoid or ellipsoid, compressed, 2-3-leaved,
2.5-7 cm. long, covered by thin scarious fugaceous sheaths when young. Leaves
linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, 7.5-30 cm. long, 8-20 mm. wide. Inflores-
cence a simple or compound raceme with several branches, loosely few- to many-
flowered, 5-85 cm. long including the peduncle; peduncle provided with close-
fitting lanceolate scarious bracts. Floral bracts ovate to lanceolate, long-acumi-
nate, concave, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers rather small, with slender pedicellate
ovaries 1.2-1.6 cm. long. Sepals and petals greenish yellow on the outside, brown
inside with darker streaks of the same color, which gives to them a tesselated
appearance, dorsally carinate along the main nerves, fleshy-thickened at
the apex and mucronate; sepals oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate, broadest above
the middle, obtuse-mucronate, 3-5-nerved, 10.5-13 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide
above the middle; petals oblique, oblanceolate or spatulate, obtuse-mucronate,
3-nerved, 9.5-11 mm. long, about 3 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the
base of the column, obovate in outline, shallowly or deeply 3-lobed, pale yellow
with purplish streaks, 9-11 mm. long from the base of the column; lateral lobes
subquadrate to obliquely triangular-ovate, obtuse to acute, 1-2.5 mm. long to
base of sinus, 1-2 mm. wide; mid-lobe suborbicular to oblong-quadrate, retuse
at the apex, undulate-plicate along the margin, 4.5-6 mm. wide; disk thickened
along the center below, and between the lateral lobes a spongy-thickened pubes-
cent callus which disintegrates into numerous mammillate calli on the mid-lobe.
Column reddish brown on the dorsal surface, yellowish beneath, 4-6 mm. long,
3-lobulate at the apex. Capsule ovoid, broadly 3-winged, 2.5-3 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Tucuru, Johnson 1004. Pila-pec, Finca Los
Alpes, Wilson 322. Near Tucuru, Standley 70694. Tactic, Johnston
1821a. Along Rio Polochic, near Pancajche", Standley 91915.—
Guatemala: Near Agua Calientes, Deam 6118. — Huehuetenango:
Between La Libertad and Paso del Boqueron, along Rio Trapichillo,
Steyermark 51109. — Jutiapa: Quebrada above Ovejero, on road
between Monjas (Dept. Jalapa) and El Progreso, Standley 77620.—
Zacapa: Zacapa Desert, Spinden. — Near San Juan Sacatepe"quez,
Lewis 38.
Epidendrum coriifolium Lindl. Journ. Hort. Soc. London 6:
218, fig. 1851.
Epiphytic on trees in humid forests, sometimes on rocks and
stumps, up to 2,700 meters alt. Widespread and rather common
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 327
from Mexico and Guatemala, southward along the mountains to
Peru.
Plant stiffly erect or ascending, coarse, often growing in large dense clumps,
up to 5.5 dm. tall. Stem mostly stout, complanate, leafy above, provided below
with several large compressed sheaths. Leaves erect-spreading, oblong-elliptic
to linear-oblong, obtuse and obliquely retuse at the apex, stiff and coriaceous,
heavily carinate, articulate, up to 26 cm. long and 5 cm. wide. Raceme spicate,
up to 25 cm. long, more or less fractiflex; peduncle concealed by large imbricating
closely appressed sheathing bracts. Floral bracts similar to those enveloping the
peduncle, ovate-cucullate to lanceolate-cucullate, distichous, narrowly obtuse,
strongly conduplicate, rigid-coriaceous, with hyaline scarious margins, sometimes
closely imbricate, in other cases rather lax, deep green spotted with red, up to
5 cm. long and 3 mm. wide near the base when spread out. Flowers fleshy, greenish
or variously tinged reddish or purplish, with stout pedicellate ovaries 1.5-2 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, somewhat concave, often cucullate near the tip
below the acute-rostriform apex, 1-2.2 cm. long, less than 6 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals obliquely ovate to ovate-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, acute, usually with
a prominent serrulate keel on the back at the apex, 1-2.4 cm. long, mostly less
than 1.1 cm. wide. Petals obliquely linear to linear-oblanceolate, subobtuse to
subacuminate, 1-1.8 cm. long, 1.5-3.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column;
lamina strongly convex, cordate-reniform, retuse with an apicule in the sinus,
margin entire or finely denticulate, auriculate at the base, 1-1.7 cm. long, 1.2-
2.6 cm. wide; disk traversed longitudinally in the center by a fleshy keel terminating
in the apicule of the sinus. Column fleshy, stout, 8-12 mm. long. Capsule green,
obliquely ellipsoid, about 4 cm. long.
This species is extremely variable in the size of the flowers and
spathaceous bracts of the inflorescence.
Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., from Sanarate,
Steyermark 46389.- — Huehuetenango: Soloma, Skutch 1042. Aguaca-
tan, Skutch 1917. Southwest of Malacatancito, Standley 62639.
Huehuetenango, Johnston 1409. Cerro Canana, between Nucapuxlac
and Canana, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49019.
Epidendrum cristatum Ruiz & Pavon, Syst. Veg. 243. 1798.
Epidendrum raniferum Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 109. 1831.
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees in dense tropical forests, open
pinelands or rocky slopes, up to 2,000 meters alt. Widespread but
not particularly common in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, and
in the northern part of South America.
Plant coarse, erect, up to 24 dm. tall, often growing in dense clumps. Stem
leafy above, up to 1.3 cm. in diameter, concealed by the membranaceous to cori-
aceous leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-spreading, distichous, narrowly oblong-elliptic
to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to shortly acuminate, articulate, coriaceous, 10-26
cm. long, 1.5-5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a simple raceme or several simple racemes
at the summit of the stem, subsessile or long-pedunculate, the raceme or racemes
recurved-pendent, up to 60 cm. long including the peduncle. Peduncle mostly
328 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
provided with few to many distichous closely imbricated spathaceous sheaths;
sheaths conduplicate, strongly keeled along the back, narrowly obtuse, mem-
branaceous, with hyaline margins. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate to ovate-lanceo-
late, acute, 4-10 mm. long. Flowers yellowish or greenish, striped or spotted with
purple or lavender, with slender pedicellate ovaries that are up to 7 cm. long.
Sepals oblong-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, spreading, more
or less convex, 1.5-2.8 cm. long, 4-8 mm. wide. Petals spreading, linear or linear-
oblanceolate to somewhat spatulate, obtuse or mucronate at the apex, more or
less falcate, 1.3-2.6 cm. long, 1.2-5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the
column; lamina deflexed, irregularly and often somewhat obscurely 3-lobed, 1-1.5
cm. long, 1-1.7 cm. or more wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes more or
less semiorbicular, coarsely eroded to deeply lacerate-fringed along the margins,
occasionally somewhat bilobulate or represented by several numerous slender
linear filaments from an obscure plate; mid-lobe mostly separated from the lateral
lobes by a slender somewhat cuneate isthmus, bilobulate at the apex with the
lobules strongly divaricate and with an apicule in the sinus; disk with a pair of
short fleshy porrect calli at the base (or apparently one sulcate callus), with a
central keel extending from the base to the sinus at the apex. Column clavate,
truncate at the thickened apex, arcuate above the middle, 1-1.5 cm. long.
The lip is very variable in its outline and in the degree that it is
lobed or incised. The number and size of the spathe-like sheaths
subtending the inflorescence is also decidedly variable, or the sheaths
may even be wanting.
Alta Verapaz : Chama, Johnson 423.— Izabal : Near Puerto Barrios,
Lewis 7. Los Andes District, near Entre Rios, Lewis 52. Shores of
Lago Izabal, opposite San Felipe, between San Felipe and mouth
of Rio Juan Vicente, Steyermark 39687. — Suchitepequez : Volcan
Santa Clara, between Finca El Naranjo and upper slopes, Steyer-
mark 46622.
Epidendrum difforme Jacq. Enum. PL Carib. 29. 1760, and
Select. Stirp. Am. 223, 1. 136. 1763; ampl. Ames, Hubbard & Schwein-
furth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 2: 53. 1934. Figure 93.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 3,000 meters alt. Widespread and
common in southern Florida, from Mexico through Central America
to Panama, throughout the West Indies and in northern South
America.
Plant ascending, 6-47 cm. tall, glabrous, caespitose. Stem leafy, often more
or less flexuous, entirely concealed by the persistent flaring leaf-sheaths. Leaves
distichous, variable in shape, ovate-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, rounded to some-
what obtuse-retuse at the apex, rigid and coriaceous, 1.3-11 cm. long, up to 3.5 cm.
FIG. 93. Epidendrum difforme. Plant, in fruit (X 1); flower, front view
(X 1M)' Drawn by Blanche Ames.
329
330 FIELDI ANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
wide. Inflorescence terminal, 1-several-flowered, subumbellate to umbellate.
Floral bracts scarious, semitranslucent, lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 7-15 mm.
long. Flowers very variable in size, pale green or whitish, with slender pedicellate
ovaries up to 4 cm. long. Dorsal sepal variable in shape, lanceolate to oblong-
obovate, subobtuse to short-acuminate at the apex, 1.1-3.4 cm. long, 3.8-8 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals somewhat obliquely oblong-lanceolate to obovate, obtuse
to short-acuminate at the apex, 1.1-3.2 cm. long, 4.5-9 mm. wide. Petals filiform
to oblanceolate, obtuse to rarely acuminate, 1-3 cm. long, 0.8-7 mm. wide. Lip
adnate to the column to its apex and spreading from the column; lamina nearly
simple to trilobulate, transversely subquadrate to reniform or transversely oval
in general outline, 7-18 mm. long, 1-3.4 cm. wide; mid-lobe wanting or obscure
to well developed, when developed usually transversely oblong to semi-elliptic,
entire to crenate or bilobed, retuse, truncate or apiculate at the apex; disk with
two basal erect calli and more or less thickened nerves. Column dilated above,
7-10 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, up to 4.5 cm. long.
This species is extremely variable, particularly in the size and
shape of the lip. Several varieties that do not occur in Guate-
mala have been segregated from it. It is commonly called "Maria
Izabel" and "flora garbanzo."
Alta Verapaz : Cubilgiiitz, Turckheim 7782. Chipok-Coban, John-
son 612. Chama, Johnson 914. Near Coban, Standley 69433. Along
Rio Frio, about 8 km. below Tactic, Standley 90839— Chimal-
tenango: Near Calderas, Porter. — Chiquimula: Cerro Brujo, in
vicinity of Rio Negro, below Montana Montenegro, near village of
Brujo, Steyermark 30958. — Guatemala: Near Finca La Aurora,
I. Aguilar 190. Road to Mataquescuintla, about twenty miles from
Guatemala, Margaret W. Lewis 55. — Huehuetenango: Near Finca
Soledad, near Finca San Rafael, ten miles southeast of Barillas,
Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49129. Between La Libertad
and Paso del Boqueron, along Rio Trapichillo, Steyermark 51114.—
Izabal: Along trail beginning from mile 33.23 between Dartmouth
and Morales towards Lago Izabal, Montana del Mico, Steyermark
39034. Seashore around Punta Palma, across bay from Puerto
Barrios, Steyermark 39803. Los Andes district, near Entre Rios,
Margaret W. Lewis 55B. — Jutiapa: Los Llanitos, near San Jos£ Aca-
tempa, Standley 60605 . — Quezaltenango : Slopes of Volcan Santa Maria,
between Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache", along great barranca
between Finca Pirineos and San Juan Patzulin, Steyermark 33668.—
Quiche1 : Sacabaja, Heyde & Lux 3507.— "Guatemala" : 1860, Hayes —
Eastern portions of Vera Paz and Chiquimula, Watson.
Epidendrum difforme var. firmum (Reichb. f.) Ames, Hub-
bard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 2: 55. 1934.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 331
Variety firmum is distinguished from the typical form by having the mid-
lobe of the lip at most a little broader than long and subquadrate. It is separated
from several other varieties of E. difforme, not represented in Guatemala, by the
truncate, retuse or somewhat bilobed apex of the mid-lobe of the lip. The leaves
in typical var. firmum are often narrower than in the typical form of the species,
but they are not constant in this respect.
Also found in Costa Rica.
"Guatemala:" Bernoulli 330.
Epidendrum diffusum Sw. Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 121. 1788.
Seraphyta diffusa (Sw.) Pfitzer ex Fawc. & Rendle, Fl. Jam. 1: 81.
1910.
Epiphytic on trees or on rocks in forests and coffee plantations,
up to 1,600 meters alt. Widespread in Mexico and Guatemala,
Cuba, Jamaica, Colombia, Dutch Guiana and Brazil.
Plant graceful, glabrous, erect-spreading, more or less reddish throughout
when dry, up to 9 dm. tall. Stem flexuous, compressed, concealed by the leaf-
sheaths, provided with several scarious closely appressed tubular fugaceous sheaths
at the base. Leaves on the upper part of the stem, broadly elliptic to oblong-
elliptic, broadly rounded to obtuse at the apex, coriaceous, distichous, 2.5-8 cm.
long, 1-4 cm. wide. Inflorescence a diffuse many-branched panicle, 1-4 dm. long.
Floral bracts minute, deltoid, acute, 1-2 mm. long. Flowers small, numerous,
transparent greenish yellow or reddish yellow, when dry reddish brown, with
filiform pedicellate ovaries about 5 mm. long. Sepals spreading, lanceolate, acute
to subacuminate, 3-nerved, 6-9 mm. long, 1.3-2.3 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique.
Petals spreading, filiform, prominently 1-nerved, 5-8 mm. long, much less than
1 mm. wide. Lip connate with the column to form a cup; lamina spreading,
cordate-ovate, apiculate to acuminate at the apex, 4-7 mm. long, 3-5 mm. wide;
disk with a short 3-pronged callus at the base in front of the column. Column
thick, tubular, dilated and several-lobulate at the apex, up to 4 mm. long. Capsule
ovoid to ellipsoidal, reddish brown, 1-1.8 cm. long.
This species is interesting in that the entire plant turns more or
less reddish when dried. It is variable in the height of the plant
and in the size of the inflorescence.
Huehuetenango: Chacula, Seler 2320. Between Ixcan and
Finca San Rafael, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49686.—
Izabal: Rio Dulce, Lewis 4. Rio Dulce, between Livingston and six
miles up river, Steyermark 39403.
Epidendrum elegans (Knowles & Westc.) Reichb. f. in Walp.
Ann. 6: 374. 1862. Barkeria elegans Knowles & Westc. Fl. Cab. 2:
7. t. [49]. 1838.
Epiphytic on trees in dry mixed forests, up to 1,500 meters alt.
Rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
332 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant erect-ascending, caespitose, up to 6.5 dm. tall. Stem rather slender,
fusiform-thickened, leafy, subtended by several scarious sheaths, concealed by
the leaf-sheaths, up to 25 cm. long. Leaves coriaceous, linear-lanceolate to elliptic-
lanceolate, acute to acuminate, up to 11 cm. long and 2.5 cm. wide. Peduncle
slender, elongate, concealed by tubular scarious spotted sheaths, supporting a
laxly few-flowered raceme. Floral bracts scarious, oblong-lanceolate, acute,
about 1 cm. long. Flowers rather large and showy, with slender pedicellate ovaries
that are up to 3 cm. long. Sepals and petals mallow-pink. Sepals elliptic to oblong-
elliptic, obtuse to acute, 2-3.5 cm. long, 8-12 mm. wide; lateral sepals slightly
oblique, longer than the dorsal sepal. Petals with a slender claw, obliquely oval,
broadly rounded to subacute at the apex, 2-3.2 cm. long, 1.2-1.9 cm. wide. Lip
white with a large purple blotch in front, broadly obovate-elliptic to oval when
spread out, broadly rounded and usually apiculate at the apex, 2.2-2.8 cm. long,
1.5-2 cm. wide; disk with an oblong callus, about 1 cm. long, in the center at the
base, the callus terminating in three short keels. Column large, broadly and
roundly winged on each side, dorsally keeled, somewhat tridentate at the apex,
1.5-1.8 cm. long, about 1 cm. wide across the wings when spread out.
This is one of the most attractive Epidendrums in Guatemala.
Near Santa Rosa, January, 1885, Klaboch.
Epidendrum eustirum Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot.
Mus. Lean1. Harv. Univ. 3: 70. 1935.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,200 meters alt. Rare in Mexico and
Guatemala.
Plant slender, erect, 1-4.5 dm. tall. Stem slender, terete, leafy above, con-
cealed by maculate scarious closely appressed sheaths. Leaves 3-5, clustered at
top of stem, lanceolate, acute-apiculate, subcoriaceous, 4-10.5 cm. long, 0.7-2 cm.
wide. Raceme terminal, subumbellate, short, nodding, few- to many-flowered,
up to 7 cm. long; peduncle short, at most 2 cm. long. Floral bracts long-setaceous
to narrowly lanceolate, maculate, up to 2 cm. long. Flowers crowded, greenish,
with pedicellate ovaries about 1 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate to lanceolate
or occasionally oblong-oblanceolate, acute, 8-11 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals oblique, strongly keeled on the back above the middle. Petals linear
to oblanceolate, acute, usually finely denticulate along the margins, 7-9 mm.
long, 1-3.8 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina orbicular-cordate to
suborbicular-reniform, broadly rounded, truncate or somewhat retuse at the apex,
often apiculate, with the margins mostly undulate-denticulate, 5-7 mm. long,
6-9 mm. wide; disk venose, with two widely separated calli at the base, concave
on the lower half, with the rim of the concave portion fleshy-thickened, the callus-
thickening a dusky drab color. Column dilated above, 3-4 mm. long. Capsule
obliquely ovoid to ellipsoidal, 1-1.5 cm. long.
This species is quite variable in the form of its floral segments.
However, the inflorescence is quite characteristic, resembling
Tropidia polystachya somewhat in habit.
Alta Verapaz: Tucuru, Johnson 1003; 45; 92.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 333
Epidendrum fragrans Sw. Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 123. 1788.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,500 meters alt. Widespread and
rather common from Mexico to Panama, throughout the West
Indies and northern South America.
Plant glabrous, stout, up to 4 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs variable, obliquely
ellipsoid to narrowly cylindrical, monophyllous, somewhat compressed, sub-
tended and enveloped especially when young by membranaceous scarious sheaths,
4.5-11 cm. long. Leaves exceeding the inflorescence, oblong-ligulate to linear-
lanceolate, obtuse to acute, coriaceous, 9-31 cm. long, 1.2-4.8 cm. wide. Raceme
short, stout, loosely few-flowered, 5-17 cm. long including the peduncle, subtended
at the base by 2-several conduplicate sheaths about 5 cm. long. Floral bracts
triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, 5-7 mm. long. Flowers white marked with
purple, fragrant, subcoriaceous, with stout pedicellate ovaries 1.2-2 cm. long.
Sepals elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, yellowish white,
1.5-3.5 cm. long, 4-6 mm. wide. Petals broadly elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate,
2-3 cm. long, 5-11 mm. wide at the middle, oblique. Lip orbicular-ovate, abruptly
acuminate, concave, adnate to the lower part of the column, yellow suffused or
striped with livid purple, 1.5-2.4 cm. long, 0.9-1.7 cm. wide across the middle;
disk prominently nervose, with a pair of small calli at the base, the calli narrowly
keeled and parallel below and mammillate-thickened above. Column clavate,
trilobulate at the apex, 6.5-8 mm. long. Capsule obovoid, strongly 3-angled
with wings on the angles, 3-4 cm. long.
Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde & IMX 3499.
Epidendrum ibaguense HBK. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PI. 1: 352.
1816; C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 11: 229. 1944.
Epidendrum radicans Pavon ex Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 104.
1831. Epidendrum rhizophorum Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24:
Misc. 8. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum pratense
Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 84. 1866 (type: Guatemala,
Wendland 271).
Terrestrial in open weedy soil, on rocks or rarely epiphytic, in
humid forests and on brushy banks, often growing rampant in dense
masses, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rather common from Mexico
through Central America to Panama and South America.
Plant subscandent, prostrate or climbing and twining in masses, said to be
as much as 10 meters in length, mostly about 10 dm. in length. Stem simple or
branched, terete, vine-like, leafy, usually profusely rooting at the nodes, about
5 mm. in diameter, concealed by brownish or reddish coriaceous sheaths 1.5-2.5
cm. long. Leaves articulate, ovate-oblong, linear-lanceolate or oblong-elliptic,
broadly rounded to obtuse and more or less obliquely retuse at the apex, distichous,
clasping the stem at the base, coriaceous, often marginate with a finely erose
bony margin, 4-10 cm. long, 0.8-4 cm. wide below the middle. Inflorescence
mostly a simple densely flowered raceme supported by a long peduncle; raceme
up to 15 cm. long; peduncle elongated, up to 45 cm. long, almost concealed by
334 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
whitish-scarious tubular acuminate sheaths. Floral bracts triangular-ovate to
triangular-lanceolate, acute to long-acuminate, up to 2.5 cm. long. Flowers
showy, very variable in color, mostly orange, red and yellow, scarlet, vermilion
or orange-red, with slender pedicellate ovaries 2-4 cm. long. Sepals spreading,
obovate to oblong-elliptic, obtuse to shortly acuminate at the apex, often dorsally
carinate and recurved at the apex, 1-2.2 cm. long, 4-7.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals
oblique. Petals elliptic-obovate to elliptic-oblong, somewhat oblique, narrowly
obtuse to acute at the apex, more or less minutely undulate-crenate along the
margins, 1.2-1.8 cm. long, 6-8 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina
deeply and unequally 3-lobed, 8-15 mm. long, 1.1-1.7 cm. wide across the lateral
lobes; lateral lobes semi cordate to semiorbicular, irregularly cut-toothed or fringed
along the margin, especially above; mid-lobe usually separated from the lateral
lobes by a distinct broad isthmus, cuneate to cuneate-flabellate, shallowly retuse
to deeply bilobulate at the apex, with an apicule in the sinus, up to 8 mm. long
including the isthmus, up to 10 mm. wide across the apical lobules, the widely
divergent lobules up to 6 mm. long and 2 mm. wide and irregularly cut-toothed
or fringed at the apex, the isthmus up to 4 mm. wide; disk with two short rounded
flap-like calli at the base, with a thin or thick erect keel extending along the
center from the base to about the middle of the mid-lobe. Column strongly
arcuate, clavate, 0.8-1.5 cm. long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, 2.5-4 cm. long.
This species is quite variable in the size of the flowers, in the
dentation of the lateral lobes of the lip and in the size and shape of
the leaves. In Guatemala, this species is often called "rancho
viejo," "flora candelaria penasco," or "boca de fuego."
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 4001. Coban to Samac, J.
Garcia Salas 1460. Mountain slopes above Finca Seamay, Wilson
208. Near Coban, Standley 69133. Finca Socuyo, northeast of
Carcha, Standley 70242. Finca Samac, northwest of Coban, Standley
89688. Vicinity of Laguna Sapala (Chajvovuch), one mile south-
west of Sibicte*, Steyermark 44905. Vicinity of Coban, Standley
92716. Between Coban and Finca Chimote", near Rubeltein, Steyer-
mark 44166. Coban, Hunnewell 17116. — Baja Verapaz: Rocky
hills near and above Santa Rosa, in pine-oak forest, Standley 91239.—
Chiquimula: Montana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of Camotan, Steyer-
mark 31686. — Guatemala: Near San Felipe, also Las Cafias road to
Antigua, Margaret W. Lewis 111. Antigua to Guatemala City, Porter
34.— Quezaltenango: Santa Maria de Jesus, Skutch 891. Near
Zunil, Standley 66620. Near Calahuache", Standley 67069. Between
Finca Pirineos and Finca Soledad, slopes of Volcan Santa Maria,
between Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache', Steyermark 33600.
Along old road between Finca Pirineos and Patzulin, Standley 86871.
— Sacatepe*quez: Between San Rafael and Antigua, Porter 7. An-
tigua, Johnston 1314. — San Marcos: Finca El Porvenir, Volcan
Tajumulco, Steyermark 52325. — Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde &
Lux 3491. — Solola: Pine woods bordering Rio Bravo, in vicinity of
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 335
Finca Moca, south-facing slopes of Volcan Atitlan, Steyermark
47961. — Suchitepequez: Finca Moca, Muenscher 12448. Finca
Moca, Hunnewell 14670. — Eastern portion of Vera Paz and Chi-
quimula, 1885, Watson 418a. — "Guatemala:" Bates 2; Swan.
Epidendrum imatophyllum Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PL 106.
1831.
Epiphytic on trees in dense, often swampy, forests, often growing
in the nests of ants on trees, up to 1,000 meters alt. Widespread
from Mexico, through Central America to Brazil and Peru.
Plant usually large and rather coarse, erect, growing in clumps, 2.5-20 dm.
tall. Roots numerous, fibrous, much branched, matted. Stem slender or stout,
leafy, concealed by subcoriaceous yellow-green often purple-spotted leaf-sheaths.
Leaves erect-spreading, distichous, ligulate, linear-oblong to linear-lanceolate,
obtuse, coriaceous, up to 20 cm. long and 3.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence terminal,
a simple or several-branched raceme, densely many-flowered, up to 15 cm. long;
peduncle rather short, mostly less than 10 cm. long, provided with 2-several
scarious long-acuminate tubular sheaths. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate,
long-acuminate, scarious, up to 1 cm. long. Flowers light lavender to deep purple,
showy, with slender pedicellate ovaries 2-3 cm. long. Sepals narrowly elliptic
to oblong-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 1.2-2.2 cm. long, 3.5-5 mm. wide;
lateral sepals conspicuously oblique. Petals with a slender claw, obliquely elliptic,
acute to acuminate, the margins entire to undulate-serrulate, 1.3-2 cm. long, 6-9
mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina spreading, oblong-entire to more
or less 3-lobed in outline, apiculate at the apex, 6-10 mm. long, 3-8 mm. wide;
lateral lobes with the margins subentire to deeply and irregularly lacerate-f ringed;
apical lobe somewhat orbicular-quadrate, with the margins mostly entire; disk
with two falcate suberect flattened calli at the base and a median keel extending
from the base to about the middle. Column clavellate, somewhat recurved,
about 1 cm. long, with a small fleshy denticulate lobe on each side at the apex.
Capsule ovoid, about 3 cm. long.
The lip is variable in the degree of laciniation and ranges from
practically simple to very distinctly 3-lobed.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilguitz, Turckheim 7677; II 70. Finca Mocca,
Johnson 167. Vicinity of Rio Dolores, near Dolores, one-half mile
northeast of Cubilguitz, Steyermark 44851. — Izabal: Boca del Polo-
chic, J. D. Smith 1584. Near Puerto Barrios, Schmidt. Swamps of
Salomon Creek, J^-l mile south of Bananera, Steyermark 38961.
Bay of Santo Tomas, between Escobas and Santo Tomas, Steyer-
mark 39352. — Pete"n: Monte Santa Teresa, Lundell 2670. Vaxactun,
Bartlett 12322; 12669. — Eastern portion of Vera Paz and Chiquimula,
Watson 85. Common in coastal region, Lewis 167.
Epidendrum incomptum Reichb. f. Bot. Zeit. 10: 733. 1852.
Figure 94.
336 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,950 meters alt. Rare in Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant much-branched, up to 5.5 dm. tall, with 2-several approximate alternate
leaves on the upper part of each branch. Stem rather stout, concealed by con-
spicuous sheaths; floriferous branches about 3.5 cm. long. Leaves oblong-elliptic
to obovate-elliptic, obtuse to acute, 4.5-12.5 cm. long, 2.5-5.5 cm. wide. Racemes
terminal, laxly few- to many-flowered, often pendent, up to 15 cm. long including
the short peduncle. Floral bracts lanceolate, long-acuminate, up to 1 cm. long.
Flowers succulent, green, often coppery-tinged, with stout pedicellate ovaries
about 1.5 cm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, narrowly obtuse
to acute, 1.2-1.7 cm. long, about 4.5 mm. wide near the middle. Lateral sepals
acinaciform, acuminate, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 3-6 mm. wide about the middle.
Petals linear-oblanceolate to narrowly spatulate, obtuse to acute, falcate, 11.5-
16.5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column, faintly purple-tinged;
lamina about equally 3-lobed, 6-10 mm. long, 1.3-1.7 cm. wide across the lateral
lobes; lateral lobes ovate, rounded to subobtuse, divaricate; mid-lobe triangular
to subquadrate, nearly truncate to acute, sharply deflexed at the apex; disk
ecallose or more or less verruculose on the mid-nerve. Column 9-11 mm. long,
clavate, thickened above.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, 1862, Godman & Salvin 410.
Epidendrum ionophlebium Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-
Am. 103. 1866.
Epiphytic on trees in open woods, up to 1,000 meters alt. Rather
common from Mexico to Panama.
Plant stout, glabrous, up to 4 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid to fusiform-
cylindrical, compressed, bifoliate, 3-8 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide near the base, sub-
tended by whitish scarious sheaths when young. Leaves erect-spreading, ligulate,
narrowly obtuse, coriaceous, 11-35 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide about the middle.
Raceme short, stout, 2-7-flowered, 3-12 cm. long including the peduncle; peduncle
provided with several short inflated bracts, subtended at base by a conduplicate
brownish sheath up to 3 cm. long. Floral bracts deltoid, acuminate, 4-6 mm. long.
Flowers greenish yellow with the lip purplish-striate, fragrant, subcoriaceous,
with rather stout pedicellate ovaries 2-2.5 cm. long. Sepals oblong-lanceolate,
acute to acuminate, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 3.5-8 mm. wide at the middle; lateral sepals
oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 5-8.5
mm. wide at the middle. Lip adnate to the lower part of the column, suborbicular-
reniform to orbicular-subcordate, subtruncate to shortly acuminate at the apex,
subcordate-truncate at the base, cochleate-concave, 1-2.3 cm. long to base of
column, 1-2 cm. wide across the middle; disk conspicuously nervose, with a
downy-pubescent oblong-quadrate callus on the lower third beneath the column.
Column stout, trilobulate at the apex, with the lateral lobules falcate, dorsally
strongly carinate, 7-11 mm. long. Capsule thick, obo void-ellipsoid, with three
prominent angles, about 5 cm. long.
This species is closely allied to Epidendrum fragrans from which
it is distinguished mainly by being bifoliate instead of unifoliate
PIDENDRUM
<: /
FIG. 94. Epidendrum incomptum. Plant (X %); 1, flower, front view
(X \Vz). 2, lip and column, side view (X 2). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
337
338 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
and in having a subquadrate pubescent callus instead of a glabrous
callus on the lip.
Alta Verapaz: Finca Transvaal, Wilson 312. — Guatemala: Garden
of Don Mariano Pacheco H., said to have come originally from Dept.
Escuintla, Steyermark 46394. — Quezaltenango : Jardin de San Carlos
Miramar, Tonduz & Rojas 181. — "Guatemala:" Lewis 39.
Epidendrum isomerum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 2: 132. 1906
(type: Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, Cubilgiiitz, August, 1904, H. von
Tilrckheim II 167).
Epiphytic on trees in wet forests at low altitudes, up to 600 meters
alt. Uncommon from Mexico to Panama.
Plant slender, ramose, often pendulous in dense clumps from trees. Stem
slender, wiry, cord-like, terete, about 3 mm. in diameter, as much as 10 dm. long,
concealed by membranaceous fugaceous sheaths. Leaves distichous, erect-
ascending, rigid, coriaceous, linear to triangular-lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate,
4.5-10 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Flowers whitish green or greenish yellow, solitary
at the apex of the branches, sessile, with rather stout pedicellate ovaries, about
8 mm. long, which are concealed by two subtending opposite scale-like bracts;
bracts up to 9 mm. long, scarious, reddish brown. Sepals membranaceous or
subcoriaceous, rigid, triangular-lanceolate, acuminate-attenuate, occasionally
tinged with purple, about 12.5 mm. long, 1.5-2 mm. wide near the base; lateral
sepals somewhat oblique on the lower portion. Petals narrowly linear, acutish,
somewhat falcate, membranaceous to subcoriaceous, rigid, 12-14 mm. long,
0.5-1.2 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina fleshy-coriaceous, triangular-
lanceolate, acute to acuminate, rigid, canaliculate, recurved above the middle,
about 9 mm. long and 2 mm. wide near the base; disk with a linear sulcate callus
on the basal half, the callus almost bifid on the lower half. Column subcylindrical,
about 5 mm. long. Capsule bright tan-colored, polished, shiny, ovoid, about
2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilgiiitz, Tiirckheim 7781. On tree at Dolores,
between Cubilgiiitz and Samanzana, Steyermark 45098. South of
Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44492. — Izabal: Entre Rios to Quirigua,
near Puerto Barrios, Lewis 8. Between Virginia and Lago Izabal,
Montana del Mico, Steyermark 38718. Along Rio Tameja, Cerro
San Gil, Steyermark 41762. Cerro San Gil, along Rio Bonita,
Steyermark 41705. Along railroad, between Puerto Barrios and Milla
7, Steyermark 42054. Along Rio Frio, Steyermark 39956.— Pet^n:
Sabana San Francisco, La Libertad, Lundell 2539.
Epidendrum lacertinum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 53. 1841.
(type:' Guatemala, Bateman). ? Epidendrum indusiatum Klotzsch,
Allg. Gartenz. 22: 177. 1854 (fide Reichb. f.) (type: Guatemala,
Warscewicz).
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 339
Epiphytic, up to 2,700 meters alt. Very rare in Mexico and
Guatemala.
Plant hanging from tree branches, up to 24 dm. long, much-branched, rather
coarse. Stem cylindrical, often fusiform-thickened, concealed by membranous
fugaceous sheaths; new growth branches concealed by tubular obtuse sheaths.
Leaves several, crowded at the apex of the branches, oblong-elliptic to elliptic-
lanceolate, acuminate, grass-green, subcoriaceous, up to 20 cm. long and 3.5 cm.
wide. Racemes at the summit of the branches pendent or rigidly descending,
loosely few- to many-flowered, up to 12 cm. long including the short peduncle.
Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, long-acuminate, cucullate below, about 12 mm.
long. Flowers rather showy, yellowish green and white, with long slender spread-
ing pedicellate ovaries up to 7 cm. long. Sepals linear-lanceolate, acuminate-
attenuate, 2.2-4.5 cm. long, 2.5-5 mm. wide near the base; lateral sepals some-
what oblique. Petals linear, acuminate-attenuate, 2-4 cm. long, about 3 mm.
wide. Lip at first white, turning yellow with age, adnate to the column; lamina
3-lobed, 1.7-2.5 cm. long; mid-lobe linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate, 1.3-2 cm.
long, about 2 mm. wide near the base; lateral basal lobes triangular-oblong, obtuse
to subacute, divaricate, 3.5-5.5 mm. long to the sinus, 1.5-2 mm. wide; disk
with two erect flap-like calli at the base and a keel extending along the center
from the base almost to the apex. Column arcuate, clavate, 1.2-1.5 cm. long.
It is quite probable that this species should be placed in the
section Encyclium, but for the present it is retained in the section
Euepidendrum.
Chimaltenango: Yepocapa, Johnston 1418. — San Marcos: Above
Finca El Porvenir, along Rio Cabus to within two miles of Cueva
de las Palomas, south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyer-
mark 37958.
Epidendrum Laucheanum [Rolfe] ex Bonhof, Gartenfl. 41:
183. 1892, nomen; Rolfe, Kew Bull. 62. 1893.
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees, up to 2,500 meters alt. Wide-
spread and rather common in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica
and Colombia.
Plant slender, weak, sparsely caespitose, up to 10 dm. or more tall. Stem
simple, slender, erect, elongated, concealed by scarious tubular leaf-sheaths.
Leaves linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, erect-spreading to
almost horizontal, coriaceous, rigid, conduplicate below, up to 19 cm. long and
2 cm. wide. Inflorescence a simple terminal few- to many-flowered arcuate-
pendent elongated raceme, up to 5 dm. or more long including the peduncle,
1-1.5 cm. in diameter, the rachis somewhat flattened; peduncle compressed, en-
closed at the base by several conduplicate imbricated bracts that are up to 12 cm.
long. Floral bracts minute, rigid, ovate to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 1-5
mm. long. Flowers thinnish to extraordinarily fleshy-thickened, waxy, pinkish
brown, purple or purplish green, about 1 cm. apart, with rather stout reddish
brown pedicellate ovaries 5-7 mm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic to obovate, broadly
obtuse to acute, concave, fleshy-thickened, sometimes weakly keeled and mucro-
340 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
nate, 6-13 mm. long, 2.5-5.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals reflexed,
obliquely linear to linear-spatulate, broadly obtuse to subacute, fleshy, carinate
along the middle on the outer surface, often somewhat triangular in cross section
above the middle, margins entire to ciliate, 5-11 mm. long, up to 1.5 mm. wide.
Lip fleshy, adnate to the column; lamina plicate, when spread out suborbicular-
ovate to broadly cordate, obtuse to subtruncate and retuse at the apex, with
the entire to minutely undulate margins strongly upcurved along the sides of the
column, 2.5-5.5 mm. long, 3.2-8.5 mm. wide when spread out; disk with a fleshy-
thickened ridge in the center extending to near the apex. Column stout, with
a tooth on each side at the apex, up to 5.5 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoidal, about
2.5 cm. long when fully mature.
This species is very variable in the size of the flowers and in the
texture of the floral segments.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2478. Mountains along road
between Tactic and the divide on the road to Tamahu, in wet forest,
Standley 91486; 91499. — Jutiapa: Volcan Suchitan, northwest of
Asuncion Mita, Steyermark 31899. — Base of Volcan Pacaya, Porter
62. — Road to Mataquescuintla, about eighteen miles from Guate-
mala City, Lewis 128.
Epidendrum ledifolium A. Rich. & Gal. Comptes Rend. Acad.
Sci. Par. 18: 506, 509, 512. 1844, nomen; in Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3, 3:
21. 1845. Epidendrum lucidum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 206.
1918 (type: Guatemala, Bernoulli & Cario 458).
Terrestrial, on rocks or epiphytic on trees in open fields, up to
2,000 meters alt. Rather common in Mexico, rare in Guatemala.
Plant erect-ascending, much-branched, up to 6 dm. tall. Stem cylindrical,
about 3 mm. thick, concealed when young by tubular scarious sheaths, the sheaths
often reddish. Leaves 2-4 at the apex of the numerous branches and branchlets,
erect-spreading, shining, linear to linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute or subacumi-
nate, up to 14 cm. long and 1.7 cm. wide. Racemes at the apex of the branches,
loosely few-flowered, up to 7 cm. long including the short peduncle. Floral bracts
triangular-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, scarious, up to 10 mm. long.
Flowers small, yellow-green or ivory white, often marked with purple, fragrant
of hyacinth, with slender pedicellate ovaries about 1 cm. long. Sepals linear-
elliptic, oblong-elliptic or oblong-spatulate, narrowly obtuse to subacuminate,
7-16 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique with a prominent winged
keel on the back, apiculate. Petals obliquely linear to oblanceolate-spatulate,
narrowly obtuse to acute, 7-12 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column;
lamina reniform, suborbicular-cordate or triangular-cordate, rarely obscurely
3-lobed, truncate-apiculate to acute-apiculate at the apex, with the margins
entire to irregularly undulate-crenulate, 4.5-9 mm. long, 5-9 mm. wide across
the basal portion; disk bicallose at the base, with 1-3 thickened median nerves.
Column short, 4-8.5 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical-ellipsoidal, somewhat 3-
angled, about 2 cm. long.
The flowers of this species are quite variable as to size.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OP GUATEMALA 341
Chiquimula: Montana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of Camotan,
Steyermark 31688.
Epidendrum limbatum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. 69. 1843
(type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum glaucum (Knowles &
Westc.) Lindl. Bot. Reg. 26: Misc. 29. 1840, non Sw.
Epiphytic on trees in open forests or on bluffs, up to 2,100
meters alt. Rare in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant slender, glaucous, 2-6 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid to globose, some-
what compressed, unifoliate, 2-5 cm. long, subtended by brown imbricating mem-
branaceous sheaths that are up to 5 cm. long. Leaf elliptic-lanceolate, acute,
6-25 cm. long, 1.7-3 cm. wide. Inflorescence a raceme or drooping panicle with
numerous flowers on the lateral branches, which are up to 15 cm. long; peduncle
long, slender, subtended by a yellowish conduplicate sheath 3-4.5 cm. long.
Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 2.5-4 mm. long.. Flowers greenish or yellow-
ish, suffused and marked with lavender and purple, with slender pedicels 4-5 mm.
long. Sepals elliptic to obovate, acute, concave, 6-8 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide.
Petals elliptic-oblanceolate, subacute, 5-6 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide above the
middle. Lip adnate to base of column, linear-oblong below, 3-lobed at the apex,
somewhat upcurved and cymbiform, 5-7 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide across
the lower linear portion; lateral lobes suborbicular to subquadrate, erect, about
1.5 mm. long and 1 mm. wide; mid-lobe semiorbicular, strongly deflexed and curved
backward, obtuse, about 2 mm. long and 2 mm. wide; disk with a deeply sulcate
callus extending from near the base to between the lateral lobes where it is termi-
nated by a fleshy thickening. Column stout, 3-lobulate at the apex, 4-5 mm.
long. Capsule ellipsoid, broadly 3-angled with wings along the angles, deep green,
about 2 cm. long.
Baja Verapaz: Near Santa Rosa, Turckheim 1299. — Zacapa:
Sierra de las Minas, along Rillito del Volcan de Monos, Volcan de
Monos, Steyermark 42371. — "Bought in the market of Guatemala:"
Hayes.
Epidendrum Lindleyanum (Batem.) Reichb. f. in Walp. Ann.
6: 375. 1862. Barkeria spectabilis Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 28:
Misc. 43. 1842 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Barkeria cyclotella
Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. n.s. 13: 72. fig. 15. 1880. Figure 95.
Epiphytic on trees and bushes or on rocks and cliffs usually in
dry country, up to 3,500 meters alt. In Mexico, Guatemala, Hon-
duras and Costa Rica.
Plant erect or erect-ascending, caespitose, up to 9 dm. tall, usually much
smaller. Stem fusiform-cylindrical, 4-15 cm. long, about 6 mm. in diameter, con-
cealed by the whitish scarious leaf-sheaths. Leaves articulate, distichous,
linear-lanceolate, ovate, oblong-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, acute to acuminate,
subcoriaceous, spreading-recurved, 4-15 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide, often with
purple striations. Inflorescence a loosely few- to many-flowered raceme terminat-
FIG. 95. Epidendrum Lindleyanum. Flowering plant (X /^). Drawn by
Dorothy O. Allen.
342
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 343
ing an elongated peduncle. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, scarious,
up to 3.5 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Flowers large, showy, variously colored, from
almost white to deep purple, nodding, with slender pedicellate ovaries 2-3 cm.
long. Sepals elliptic to linear-lanceolate, subobtuse to long-acuminate, spreading,
1.8-3.7 cm. long, 5-10 mm. wide. Petals with a short claw, suborbicular-ovate,
elliptic, ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acuminate, with the
margins more or less undulate, concave below, 1.5-3.7 cm. long, 7-20 mm. wide
at the widest point. Lip often spotted with reddish purple, variously shaped,
suborbicular-ovate, ovate-lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate or oblong-quadrate, retuse
to apiculate at the apex, with the margins undulate and occasionally subserrate,
1.8-3.5 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide; disk with 3-5 keels along the central portion,
the keels more pronounced toward the upper part of the lamina. Column ap-
pressed against the lip, 1.2-1.7 cm. long. Capsule fusiform-ellipsoidal, about
3 cm. long.
This species is variable in the color and size of the flowers. The
lip varies considerably in shape even in the same inflorescence. The
variations intergrade too strongly to warrant separate varieties.
Guatemala: Purchased from Indian in Mixco, Lewis 99. Garden
of Don Mariano Pacheco H., Guatemala, said to have come originally
from Chocoyes, Dept. Solola, Steyermark 46386. — Huehuetenango :
Colotenango, Shannon 462. — Quiche": Santa Cruz Quiche", Lehmann
1505.— "Guatemala:" Bernoulli 367; Bates 11.
Epidendrum luteoroseum A. Rich. & Gal. Comptes Rend.
Acad. Sci. Par. 18: 512. 1844, nomen; in Ann. Sci. Nat. se>. 3, 3:
19. 1845 (as "luteo-roseum"). Epidendrum seriatum Lindl. Fol.
Orch. Epid. 59. 1853.
Epiphytic on trees in open forest, up to 1,200 meters alt. Un-
common in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
Plant slender, erect, glabrous, 1.5-4 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-elongate,
1.5-4 cm. long, 3-4-leaved, enveloped in scarious fibrous sheaths when young.
Leaves narrowly linear, acute to shortly acuminate, occasionally conduplicate-
ensiform, 6-28 cm. long, 4-9 mm. wide. Inflorescence a lax many-flowered panicle,
up to 35 cm. long including the slender peduncle; peduncle and rachis provided
with yellowish scarious acuminate bracts 0.7-2.5 cm. long. Floral bracts tri-
angular-ovate, acute, deeply concave, scarious, 2-3 mm. long. Flowers rose-
yellow or yellowish brown, small, with slender pedicellate ovaries 1.5-2.3 cm.
long. Sepals narrowly elliptic to elliptic-oblanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate,
9-12 mm. long, 2-2.2 mm. wide above the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
obliquely filiform-spatulate, obtuse to abruptly subacute, 9-12 mm. long, about
2 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to lower half of column, from a slender
tapering base, obcordate-flabellate to obovate, retuse, 8-12 mm. long to base of
column, 3.5-5 mm. wide across the apex; disk traversed by five wavy verrucose
raised nerves that arise from two plate-like calli below. Column purplish, with
obliquely ascending auricles at the apex, about 5 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid-
fusiform, about 1.2 cm. long.
344 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnston 1824. — Guatemala: Fiscal, Deam
6083. — San Marcos: Finca El Porvenir, on Potrero Matasan along
Rio Cabus, Volcdn Tajumulco, Steyermark 37609. — Santa Rosa:
Chiapas, Heyde & Lux 4636.
Epidendrum microcharis Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. 1246. 1870
(type: Guatemala, ex Hort. W. W. Saunders).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 2,700 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala.
Plant small, crowded, creeping, less than 4 cm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-
pyriform, obliquely ascending, bifoliate, 1.5-2 cm. long, enveloped when young
by inflated scarious brown sheaths 1-2 cm. long. Leaves linear-ligulate, obtuse,
spreading horizontally or somewhat recurved, often purplish on the lower surface,
dorsally carinate along the mid-rib, 2-3.5 cm. long, 3-6 mm. wide. Inflorescence
a fascicle of several flowers at apex of pseudobulb. Floral bracts triangular-
lanceolate, acuminate, about 4 mm. long. Flowers small, yellowish with many
purplish dots or greenish tinged lilac, with slender pedicellate ovaries 1.4-1.6 cm.
long. Dorsal sepal elliptic, widest above the middle, fleshy-thickened at the sub-
acute-apiculate apex, 3-nerved, about 7 mm. long and 3 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals obliquely elliptic, aristate to long-caudate at the apex, 3-nerved, 8.5-10.5
mm. long including the elongate fleshy caudae, about 2.5 mm. wide. Petals ob-
liquely linear-oblanceolate, acute-apiculate and thickened at the apex, concave
above the middle, with the margins erose, 1-nerved, 6-6.5 mm. long, about 1.5 mm.
wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the lower half of the column, 3-lobed, orbicular-
cordate in outline, with the margins irregularly erose-laciniate, 5-7 mm. long to
point of adnation with the column, 6-8 mm. wide across the broad lateral lobes
when spread out, the short broad claw concave-cymbiform; lateral lobes semi-
cordate; mid-lobe bilobulate, with a wide deep sinus separating the linear spread-
ing lobules; disk with a linear fleshy callus along the center above the middle, the
callus thickened at the apex and extended as a fleshy apicule in the sinus of the
apical lobe.
Chimaltenango: Osuna, Johnston 1417. — Totonicapan: Near
Totonicapan, Valle de la Desolation, Lewis 209.
Epidendrum moyobambae Kranzl. Repert. Sp. Nov. 1: 185.
1905; C. Schweinf. Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 11: 238. 1944. Epi-
dendrum subpatens Schltr. in Repert. Sp. Nov. Beih. 17: 40. 1922.
Epiphytic in swamps or wet woods, up to 1,800 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
Plant usually pendent, or ascending, up to 60 cm. tall, rather stout. Stem
leafy, up to 8 mm. in diameter, concealed by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves distichous,
oblong-elliptic, elliptic-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, coriaceous,
articulate, 7-15 cm. long, 1.5-4 cm. wide, the margins often erose-serrulate.
Raceme terminal, up to 40 cm. long, usually pendent, loosely 10-35-flowered,
clothed at the base with several closely appressed sheaths, the rachis slender and
often fractiflex. Floral bracts small, triangular-ovate, sharply acute, scale-like,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 345
2-5 mm. long. Flowers rather large, fleshy, brownish green and white, with
pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-oblanceolate, elliptic-
spatulate or spatulate, obtuse to acute, often somewhat apiculate, 1.7-2.3 cm.
long, 4-7.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals more or less falcate. Petals linear-oblanceo-
late to spatulate, obtuse to subacute, somewhat oblique, 1.7-2.1 cm. long, 2.5-5.5
mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the column; lamina deeply 3-lobed,
1.5-2 cm. long, 1.7-2.8 cm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes semiorbicular
to obliquely dolabriform, rounded to semicordate at the base, the margins often
undulate-crenate, 1.2-1.5 cm. long, 9-10 mm. wide; mid-lobe bilobulate, about
8 mm. long, the lobules oblong-divaricate, obtuse, about 6 mm. long and 5 mm.
wide; disk with a pair of calli in front of the column, the median nerve thickened
and extending as a keel from the base to the mid-lobe, with a shorter raised nerve
on each side of the central keel. Column thickened, clavate, 1.2-1.5 cm. long.
Hemsley and Cogniaux both followed Lindley in referring
Skinner's collection from Guatemala to Epidendrum patens Sw.
This collection is referable to E. moyobambae. Epidendrum patens
apparently does not occur in Guatemala.
"Guatemala:" Skinner.
Epidendrum neurosum Ames, Sched. Orch. 1: 17. 1922 (type:
Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, Finca Mocca, Johnson 141).
Epiphytic on trees in open forests, up to 1,200 meters alt. Rare
in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Plant ascending, glabrous, slender or stout, 1.3-3 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs
stipitate, fusiform-cylindrical, compressed, obliquely ascending, bifoliate, 3.5-
9.5 cm. long, 6-8 mm. thick near the middle. Leaves linear-ligulate, narrowly
obtuse, coriaceous, dorsally carinate along the mid-rib, 9-19 cm. long, 8-10 mm.
wide. Raceme short, 1- or 2-flowered; peduncle up to 3 cm. long, enveloped by
2-3 large scarious spathaceous bracts that are up to 4 cm. long. Floral bracts
triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, hyaline, scarious, about 3 mm. long. Flowers
white, fleshy, the lip striped with lavender, faintly odorous, with stout pedicellate
ovaries 1-1.5 cm. long. Sepals linear-lanceolate, acuminate, with the mid-nerve
prominent beneath, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide; lateral sepals slightly oblique.
Petals narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, 1.4-2.2 cm. long,
3-5 mm. wide near the middle. Lip simple, adnate to the lower half of the column,
ovate, acute to long-acuminate, mostly auriculate at the base, prominently nervose
with the nerves lavender or purplish, 1.3-2 cm. long to base of column, 5.5-8.5
mm. wide near the middle; disk with a pair of linear falcate calli under the column,
the calli about 2-3 mm. long. Column fleshy, trilobulate at the apex, 5-6 mm.
long.
This species is closely allied to Epidendrum abbreviatum, but has
larger flowers and differently shaped perianth-segments.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum nitens Reichb. f. Beitr. Orch. Centr.-Am. 82.
1866 (type: Guatemala, Las Nubes, Wendland 324). Epidendrum
346 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Johannis Schltr. in Repert. Sp. Nov. 16: 444. 1920 (type: Guatemala,
Alta Verapaz, Panzal, October, 1912, Turckheim 3889).
Epiphytic in moist or cloud forests, up to 1,800 meters alt. Un-
common in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant mostly short and stout, coarse, erect, 9-38 cm. tall. Stem concealed
by tubular compressed obtuse subcoriaceous sheaths. Leaves distichous, equitant,
erect-spreading, usually 2-several at the summit of the stem, firm, somewhat
rigid, linear-oblong, obtuse and retuse at the apex, up to 15 cm. long, 1.2-2.5 cm.
wide. Raceme erect, spicate, coarse, relatively few-flowered, 4-14 cm. long.
Floral bracts large, conspicuous, equitant and more or less imbricate, conduplicate-
plicate, orbicular-ovate when spread out, obtuse, 1-1.8 cm. long, up to 1.5 cm.
wide at base when spread out. Flowers sessile or essentially so, scarcely exceeding
the bracts, green, withering yellow-green, fleshy-coriaceous. Dorsal sepal lanceo-
late to linear-elliptic, acute to acuminate, cymbiform-canaliculate, prominently
ribbed, coriaceous, 9-13 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely
oblong-lanceolate, acute, coriaceous, prominently ribbed, strongly keeled at the
apex with the keel minutely serrulate, with an intramarginal keel on the inner
surface on the lower margin, 9-12 mm. long, 3.5-4 mm. wide. Petals linear,
falcate, obtuse, coriaceous, 1-nerved, 8-11 mm. long, less than 1 mm. wide. Lip
adnate to the column; lamina conduplicate, arcuate-decurved above the middle
in natural position, coriaceous, when spread out triangular-cordate to subcordate-
quadrate, broadly truncate to acute at the apex, 4-8 mm. long, 4-7 mm. wide
across the base; disk bicallose at the base, with a thickened keel in the center
extending from the base and excurrent at the apex. Column short, thick, bilobed
at the apex, 4-6 mm. long.
In general appearance this species resembles E. coriifolium, but
it differs from that species in floral characters.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Baron Rudolphe de Schauensee. Vicinity
of Cubilgiiitz, 1^-2 miles south of Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44470.—
Baja Verapaz: Rocky hills near and above Santa Rosa, in pine-
oak forest, Standley 91269. — Chiquimula: Montana Nonoja, 3-5
miles east of Camotan, Steyermark 31677. — Izabal: Cerro San Gil,
uppermost ridges and summit, Steyermark 41966. — "Guatemala:"
Lewis 36a.
Epidendrum nocturnum Jacq. Enum. PL Carib. 29. 1760,
and Select. Stirp. Am. 225, t. 139. 1763. Figure 96.
Epiphytic on trees and on rocks (rarely terrestrial) in dry or
moist forests, usually at low altitudes, up to 2,000 meters alt. Wide-
spread and common in southern Florida, from Mexico through
Central America to Panama, throughout the West Indies and in all
of northern South America.
Plant erect, slender to stoutish, caespitose, up to 10 dm. tall. Stem leafy,
terete below, compressed above, up to 1.5 cm. wide, concealed by subcoriaceous
FIG. 96. Epidendrum nocturnum. Flowering and fruiting plants (X 1).
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
347
348 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
sheaths that are scarious, leafless and evanescent below and leaf-bearing above.
Leaves distichous, oval-elliptic to linear-elliptic or rarely lanceolate, broadly
rounded to subacute at the apex, occasionally emarginate, articulated to close
sheaths at the base, coriaceous, 7-18 cm. long, 1-7 cm. wide. Inflorescence
terminal, a very compact (often branched) raceme of 4-5 or rarely more flowers.
Floral bracts ovate or ovate-lanceolate, cucullate, acute, with hyaline margins,
4-9 mm. long. Flowers large, showy, more or less nodding, with slender pedicel-
late ovaries 4.5-17 cm. long. Sepals greenish white, linear-lanceolate, acuminate-
attenuate, somewhat twisted above, 3.6-9 cm. long, 3-8.5 mm. wide. Petals
whitish, filiform, 3.5-8.5 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide. Lip white, adnate to the column;
disk deeply and unevenly 3-lobed; lateral lobes directed forward, semioval, semi-
ovate or obliquely ovate-lanceolate, semicordate at the base, obtuse to acuminate-
attenuate at the apex, with the margins entire to rarely denticulate, 1.2-3.8 cm.
long, 4-10 mm. wide below the middle; mid-lobe linear-filiform, setaceous and long
attenuate, 2.2-5.7 cm. long, up to 3 mm. wide near the base; disk with two elongate
parallel lamellae extending from the base of the lip to the base of the mid-lobe.
Column somewhat dilated above, entire to dentate at the apex, 1.5-2.5 cm. long.
Capsule ellipsoidal-fusiform, 3-5.5 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. in diameter.
This is a variable species in the size of the plant and flowers,
and in the shape of the lateral lobes of the lip. The flowers are
somewhat similar in appearance to those of E. ciliare (section
Encyclium). However, the lateral lobes of the lip of E. ciliare are
deeply fimbriate while those of E. nocturnum are nearly always entire.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 251. Vicinity of Cubilgiiitz,
1^-2 miles south of Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44469. — Izabal: Puerto
Barrios, Deam 6022. Quirigua, Porter 27. Bay of Santo Tomas,
between Escobas and Santo Tomas, Steyermark 39349. Puerto
Barrios, Margaret W.Lewis 9; 10. Cerro San Gil, along Rio Bonita,
Steyermark 41744. Cerro San Gil, El Golfete de Rio Dulce, Cayo
Piedra, Steyermark 41750. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along
Rillito del Volcan de Monos, Volcan de Monos, Steyermark 42334.—
Eastern portions of Vera Paz and Chiquimula: Watson lOla; 453b.
Epidendrum ochraceum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc. 14. t. 26.
1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum papyriferum Schltr.
Bull. Herb. Boiss. 7: 543. 1899. Encyclia panthera (Reichb. f.)
Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 473. 1918.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, swamps and dry open woods, up to
3,500 meters alt. Common from Mexico to Costa Rica.
Plant slender, glabrous, ascending, 7-35 cm. tall. Pseudobulbs obliquely
ascending at intervals of about 1 cm., narrowly ovoid-cylindrical, elongated, 2-9.5
cm. long, 5-10 mm. in diameter below the middle, 2-3-leaved, enveloped by whitish
scarious sheaths when young. Leaves narrowly linear to linear-ligulate, narrowly
obtuse to acute, subcoriaceous, 5-27 cm. long, 3-15 mm. wide. Raceme simple
or rarely branched, rather densely many-flowered, mostly exceeding the leaves,
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 349
up to 26 cm. long including the slender peduncle; peduncle provided with several
minute deltoid acuminate bracts, subtended at the base by a scarious spathaceous
sheath about 4 cm. long. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, concave
below the middle, 3-7 mm. long, up to 2 mm. wide. Flowers brown-yellow or
greenish, small, fleshy-thickened, with rather stout pedicellate ovaries 4-8 mm.
long. Sepals oblong-elliptic, broadly rounded to subacute at the apex, shallowly
cymbiform, dorsally carinate along the mid-rib, 4-12 mm. long, 2-3.2 mm. wide.
Petals obliquely oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute at the apex, 4-10 mm. long,
1-2 mm. wide near the apex, usually with the margins minutely ciliolate or fimbri-
ate. Lip adnate to the base of the column, 3-lobed, 4-13 mm. long to the base
of the column, 4.5-12 mm. wide across the lateral lobes when spread out; lateral
lobes suborbicular-quadrate, about as wide as long, upcurved; mid-lobe oblong-
quadrate, truncate to retuse at the apex, with the margins undulate-crisped; disk
with a linear sulcate callus in the center, the callus extending above the lateral
lobes, and disintegrating as mammillate processes on the mid-lobe. Column
stout, purple outside, trilobulate at the apex, with the lobules acuminate, 3.5-5
mm. long.
This species is extremely variable in the size of the plant and
flowers.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim II 1237. Coban, Johnson 291;
296. Coban, Muenscher 12548. Near Coban, Standley 69255.
Region of Cocola, northeast of Carcha, Standley 70320. Along Rio
Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha, Standley 89836;
90076; 90721. Large swamp east of Tactic, Standley 92532. Large
swamp just east of Tactic, Steyermark 44018. Along Rio Polochic,
above Tamahu, Standley 92048. Along Rio Frio, about 8 km.
below Tactic, Standley 90841; 90828.— Baja Verapaz: North of
Santa Rosa, Standley 69870. Rocky hills near and above Santa
Rosa, in pine-oak forest, Standley 91247. Along margin of the big
swamp below Pantin, Standley 91006. Below Fatal, Standley 91168.
— Chimaltenango: Johnston 1199. Volcan Acatenango, Hunnewell
14666. Along road from Chimaltenango to San Martin, Standley
57902. Along Rio Guacalate, southeast of Chimaltenango, Standley
81075. Region of Los Positos, above Las Calderas, Standley 80293.
Calderas, Porter 6. — Chiquimula: Volcan Quezaltepeque, 3-4 miles
northeast of Quetzaltepeque, Steyermark 31520. Upper slopes of
Montana Tajuran, in vicinity of El Barriol, Steyermark 30840.—
Guatemala: Pinula, near Guatemala, 1860, Hayes. On road to
Salvador, about four miles from Guatemala City, Margaret W. Lewis
57. Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between San Francisco Sales and
the base of the active cone, Standley 80765. — Huehuetenango: Rio
Pucal, about 14 km. south of Huehuetenango, Standley 82377.—
Jalapa: Volcan Jumay, north of Jalapa, Steyermark 32391. — Quezal-
tenango: Volcan Santa Maria, Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark
350 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
33921. Above Santa Maria de Jesus, Standley 87165.— Quiche":
Nebaj, Skutch 1737. — Sacatepe"quez: Hills of Finca Carmona, south-
east of Antigua, Standley 63682. — San Marcos: Finca El Porvenir,
along Rio Cabus above Potrero Matasan, Volcan Tajumulco,
Steyermark 37613. — Solola: Trail between village of San Pedro, via
San Juan, San Cristobal, Buena Vista, and northwestern slopes
of Volcan Santa Clara, Steyermark 47303. — Zacapa: Quebrada
Alejandria, summit of Sierra de las Minas, vicinity of Finca Ale-
jandria, Steyermark 29916. Sierra de las Minas, upper slopes, along
Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, Steyermark 42486. — "Guate-
mala:" Bernoulli 275.
Epidendrum oncidioides Lindl. Bot. Reg. 19: t. 1623. 1833;
ampl. Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ.
3: 101. 1935. Epidendrum guatemalense Klotzsch, Allg. Gartenz.
20: 250. 1852 (type: Guatemala, Hort. Allardt}.
Epiphytic on trees in rather dry country, up to 700 meters alt.
Widespread from Mexico to Honduras, Trinidad and northern South
America.
Plant up to a meter tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid, slender-pyriform or cylindric,
up to about 10 cm. long, invested by imbricating fibrous scarious sheaths, 2-3-
leaved. Leaves linear-ligulate to oblong-linear, obtuse to acute, coriaceous, more
or less conduplicate below, up to 60 cm. long and 4.8 cm. wide. Inflorescence
surpassing the leaves, loosely paniculate or rarely almost simple, with relatively
short spreading branches. Flowers medium-sized, spreading, with smooth to
verruculose pedicellate ovaries. Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate to oblanceolate,
acute to subacute, 14-17 mm. long, 5-6.2 mm. wide. Lateral sepals elliptic-
lanceolate to oblanceolate, oblique, acute to shortly acuminate, dorsally carinate
near the apex, 14-18 mm. long, 5-6.5 mm. wide. Petals with a narrow claw,
elliptic-spatulate, obovate-spatulate or round-spatulate, rounded-apiculate to
shortly acuminate at the apex, 13-17 mm. long, 6-8 mm. wide near the apex.
Lip almost free from the column, deeply 3-lobed, 13.1-15 mm. long to base of
column; lateral lobes erect and clasping the column in natural position, obliquely
oblong, oblong-pandurate to ovate when spread out, broadly rounded to obtuse
at the apex, 5.6-8.9 mm. long on the interior margin; mid-lobe separated from
the lateral lobes by a short distinct sinus, rarely suborbicular-ovate, suborbicular
to transversely oval, acute to broadly rounded or slightly retuse and apiculate at
the apex, subcordate to rounded and somewhat cuneate at the base, anterior
margin plicate, veins smooth or rarely verruculose, 6-7.3 mm. long, 6.2-9.8 mm.
wide; disk with two fleshy ridges making a fovea on the isthmus and extending into
fleshy radiating lines on the mid-lobe, with the central line sometimes prominently
carinate-thickened. Column stout, gently reflexed at about the middle, with
prominent incurved rounded auricles at the apex, 7.2-8.5 mm. long.
This species is extremely polymorphic and is represented by
several varieties in Middle and South America.
FIG. 97. Epidendrum oncidioides var. gravidum. Upper right, raceme from
type specimen (X %); center right, column, front view (X 4); lower right, flower,
spread out (X 1H); left, plant (X %). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
351
352 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
The following collection is in fruit but probably represents this
species: Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, on rocks, oak-pine woods
along upper reaches of Rio Sitio Nuevo, between Santa Rosalia
and first waterfall, Steyermark 42224.
Epidendrum oncidioides var. gravidum (Lindl.) Ames,
Hubbard & Schweinfurth (Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 3: 104.
1935). Figure 97.
Occurs in Mexico, south to Panama.
Differs from the typical form in usually being smaller in all its parts; mid-lobe
of lip triangular-lanceolate to oblong, with the veins of the mid-lobe verruculose.
Although no specimens of this variety have been seen from Guate-
mala, it is included here since that country is within its area of
distribution.
Epidendrum pachyrachis Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 32. January,
1923 (type: Guatemala, Izabal, Jocolo, April 10, 1920, Johnson 305).
Epiphytic on trees in forests, at low altitudes. Rare in Guate-
mala and Costa Rica.
Plant rather slender, erect, up to 8 dm. tall. Stem rigid, concealed by tubular
leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-spreading, elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate,
acute, distichous, fleshy-coriaceous, lucid, 4-7 cm. long, up to 1.7 cm. wide.
Raceme terminal, short, rigidly deflexed, subtended by several sheathing rigid
bracts, up to 6 cm. long including the short peduncle; rachis much thickened, about
3 mm. thick. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate,
rigid, thick, 5-6 mm. long. Flowers very fleshy, subsessile, erect-spreading.
Sepals elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, somewhat concave, 7-8
mm. long, 3.5-4.5 mm. wide. Petals erect-spreading, narrowly lanceolate, acute
or acuminate, a little dilated about the middle, 3-5-nerved, about 7 mm. long and
1.75 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina fleshy, transversely elliptical
to subreniform, somewhat subcordate at the base, irregularly lobulate along the
apical margin, obtuse, deeply retuse and sharply apiculate in the sinus at the
apex, 5.5-7 mm. long, 10-11 mm. wide; disk bicallose at the base, traversed longi-
tudinally by three approximate conspicuous somewhat bullate ridges. Column
stout, dilated above, 3.5-4 mm. long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum paniculatum Ruiz & Pavon, Syst. Veg. 243.
1798; ampl. Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl.
Harv. Univ. 2: 67. 1934. Epidendrum floribundum HBK. Nov.
Gen. & Sp. 1: 353 (quarto ed.), 283 (folio ed.), t. 86. 1816.
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees in wet tropical forests, up to
2,000 meters alt. Widespread and quite common from Mexico
through Central America to Panama and northern South America.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 353
Plant caespitose, variable in height and stoutness, up to 1.4 meters tall in-
cluding the inflorescence. Stem simple, erect, rather slender to stout, up to 2 cm.
in diameter, concealed by leaf-sheaths. Leaves elliptic-ovate to linear-lanceolate,
acute to long-acuminate, submembranaceous to subcoriaceous, often purplish on
the lower surface, 4-25 cm. long, 0.5-6.8 cm. wide. Inflorescence terminal, usually
greatly exceeding the leaves, rarely shorter than the leaves, ranging from a simple
few-flowered raceme to a compound panicle; common peduncle variable in length
and diameter, from almost wanting up to 18 cm. long, with or without a sub-
tending spathe; spathe (when present) up to 9 cm. long and 1.4 cm. wide; bracts
of the inflorescence variable, usually lanceolate and acuminate, up to 7 cm. long
and 6.5 mm. wide. Floral bracts small, ovate to lanceolate, acute to acuminate.
Flowers very variable in size, green-white to rose-purple, usually with the sepals
reflexed and the petals spreading or reflexed. Dorsal sepal oblong-oblanceolate,
cuneate-spatulate or narrowly elliptic, subacute to acuminate-acute at the apex,
greenish brown to greenish white, 8.2-16 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals oblong-lanceolate, oblong-spatulate or rarely oblong-elliptic, subacute to
acuminate-acute at the apex, often concave especially toward the tip, which is
commonly somewhat thickened and subcarinate, smooth or roughened on the outer
surface, 8.2-16 mm. long, 2.5-4.5 mm. wide. Petals filiform, narrowly oblanceo-
late or oblong-spatulate, obtuse to acute at the apex, the apical margins some-
times minutely denticulate, 8-14.5 mm. long, 0.3-2 mm. wide. Lip adnate to
the column; lamina ranging from nearly simple to 3- or 4-lobed, in general outline
transversely subrectangular to subrotund or subquadrate, 4-9 mm. long, 5.8-12
mm. wide; lateral lobes very variable, being shallowly dolabriform, dolabriform,
obliquely rhombic-dolabriform, obliquely triangular-ovate, obliquely ovate, ob-
liquely oval or subrectangular, the posterior margin or angle usually rounded to
form a more or less cordate base, the anterior margin or angle porrect or at right
angles to the median axis, often with a small upright lobule at its outer edge;
mid-lobe ranging from broadly truncate-cuneate to long-bilobulate, truncate,
retuse or protuberant and often apiculate at the apex; lobules of mid-lobe very
variable in shape and degree of divergence, ranging in shape from acinaciform
through linear or falcately linear-oblong to narrowly triangular or else to oblong,
spatulate-oblong or narrowly rectangular, the degree of divergence being from
V-shaped to right-angled with the median axis or to somewhat retrorsely-recurved,
3-8 mm. long; disk with two basal more or less lamellate calli and three more or
less developed approximate parallel ridges of which the central one extends upon
the mid-lobe and in some instances reaches the apicule. Column clavate-dilated
from a slender tubular shank, often somewhat arcuate. Capsule ellipsoidal, 2-3
cm. long.
This species is one of the most variable of all the Epidendrums
found in Central America. The flowers, particularly as to the lip,
are extremely polymorphic.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 7780; II 1337. Samac, Johnson
269. Chama, Johnson 419. Chama to Coban, Johnson 555. Rio
Frio, Johnson 726. Above Finca Los Alpes, Wilson 353. Near
Coban, Standley 70022. Finca Socuyo, northeast of Carcha, Standley
70228. Above Tamahu, Standley 70959. Coban, Lewis 223. Tactic,
Johnston 1861. Rio Tzimajil, near Coban, bought from a peddler,
354 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Standley 90271. Vicinity of Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44405. — Chi-
quimula: Montana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of Camotan, Steyermark
31704.— Escuintla: South slope of Volcan de Fuego, Standleij 64528.—
Huehuetenango: Between Ixcan and Finca San Rafael, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49408. — Quiche": Finca San Francisco,
Cotzal, Skutch 1848. Nebaj, Skutch 1738.— Solola: Barranca of
"La Presa," lower south-facing slopes of Volcan Atitlan, Steyermark
47622.
Epidendrum pansamalae Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 485.
1912 (type: Guatemala, Pansamala, September, 1886, Turckheim
1062).
Epiphytic on trees in open forests, up to 1,575 meters alt. Very
rare in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant erect to spreading, 3-10 dm. tall. Stem terete, slender, about 3.5 mm.
in diameter, concealed by purple-spotted leaf-sheaths. Leaves spreading, narrowly
lanceolate, acute to subacuminate, rather thin, 5-10.5 cm. long, 6.5-11 mm.
wide. Raceme short and densely few- to many-flowered, simple, rarely compound,
on a short peduncle. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, about 5 mm. long.
Flowers erect-spreading, pale phlox-pink to rose-purple, with slender pedicellate
ovaries that are about 2 cm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic to ligulate-lanceo-
late, acute to acuminate at the somewhat dorsally carinate apex, 1.2-1.4 cm. long,
3.2-4 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate,
acute-apiculate to obliquely acuminate and strongly recurved at the carinate-
thickened apex, with the dorsal keel somewhat minutely serrulate. Petals linear
to oblanceolate, acute, with the margins often minutely erose, somewhat oblique.
Lip adnate to the column; lamina deeply 3-lobed, 6.5-7 mm. long, 8-10 mm.
wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes divergent, obliquely oblong, obliquely
obtuse or truncate and irregularly toothed at the apex, about 4 mm. long and
1.5 mm. wide; mid-lobe transversely oblong to transversely semielliptic, the
lateral margins subcrenate, apiculate to abruptly subacuminate at the apex,
4-5 mm. long, 6.8-10 mm. wide; disk with an approximate pair of short porrect
calli at the base, the calli abruptly truncate and denticulate at the apex, some-
what thickened along the central portion. Column cylindrical, keeled on the
back, serrulate-ciliate at the bilobulate apex, 7-9 mm. long.
This species is closely allied to E. centropetalum, of which it may
eventually prove to be only a variety.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum Hook. Bot. Mag. 67: t. 3778.
1840.
Epiphytic on trees and on rocks in oak-pine forests at high eleva-
tions, up to 2,000 meters or more alt. Uncommon from Mexico to
Panama.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 355
Plant large, pendent, branching, glabrous, up to 2 meters tall. Pseudobulbs
curved-ascending, slender, terete, 1-several-leaved, 6-10 cm. long, concealed by
translucent sheaths; sheaths scarious, tubular, growing from nodes 1.5-2 cm. apart,
lanceolate, acuminate, imbricate, up to 15 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. Leaves
linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, acute to long-acuminate, fleshy-coriaceous,
flaccid, conduplicate, dark green, often tinged with purple, 2-5 dm. long, 1-3.5
cm. wide, up to 2.5 cm. thick. Floral bracts short, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate,
scarious, 7-15 mm. long. Flowers large, showy, fragrant, 1-3, subfasciculate on
a short peduncle up to 1.5 cm. long, subtended by the uppermost sheath of the
pseudobulb, with stout curved pedicellate ovaries 10-14 cm. long. Sepals spread-
ing, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, long-acuminate, pale yellowish green, often
mauve or purplish bronze on the outer surface, with revolute margins, 5.6-8.5 cm.
long, 1.1-1.7 cm. wide near the middle; lateral sepals subfalcate. Petals spreading,
mostly white or yellowish, linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate, falcate, 5.5-8 cm.
long, 6-9 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column to above the middle, deeply
3-lobed, white or yellowish orange, 5.5-8 cm. long to the base of the column from
the tip of the mid-lobe; lateral lobes semicordate to semiovate, obtuse to subacute,
mostly somewhat irregularly undulate-sinuate on the outer margin above the
middle, 2.5-4 cm. long, 1.5-1.8 cm. wide near the base; mid-lobe linear, acuminate,
3.5-5.5 cm. long, 2-4 mm. wide near the base; disk with two erect-spreading
flap-like obtuse keels just in front of the column. Column arcuate, dilated upward,
2.5-3 cm. long. Capsule fusiform-cylindrical, conspicuously 3-ridged, 7-13 cm.
long, 1-2 cm. in diameter.
Chimaltenango: Johnston 1241. — Chiquimula: Rio Grande (Rio
Conception) on Socorro Mountain, above Finca San Jose", southeast
of Conception de las Minas, Steyermark 31114. — Guatemala: Mixco,
Margaret W. Lewis 91. Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., from
barrancas north of Guatemala, Steyermark 46393. — Huehuetenango :
Aguacatan road, ten kilometers east of Huehuetenango, Standley
82162.— Quezaltenango: Volcan Santa Maria, Steyermark 33923
(probably). — San Marcos: Vicinity of town of Tajumulco, north-
western slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 36926. — Zacapa:
Sierra de las Minas, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro de Monos,
Steyermark 42762.— "Guatemala:" 1866, Bernoulli 356 (in part).
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum Hook. var. falcatum (Lindl.)
Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 3:
74. 1935.
The variety differs from the typical form mainly in its smaller flowers. The
lip is 3.5-4 cm. long, the sepals are 3.5-4 cm. long and the petals about 3.25 cm.
long.
Guatemala: Arrazola, Heyde & Lux 4604. — Quiche": Lehmann
1570. — "Guatemala:" Bernoulli 356 (in part).
Epidendrum pentotis Reichb. f. Linnaea 41: 81. 1876. Epi-
dendrum fragrans Sw. var. megalanthum Lindl. Journ. Hort. Soc.
356 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
London 4: 223. 1849 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum
Beyrodtianum Schltr. Orchis, 9: 49. t. 4, figs. 14-21. 1915 (type:
Guatemala, Hort. Beyrodt).
Epiphytic on trees in humid forests, up to 1,700 meters alt. Un-
common in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Brazil.
Plant erect or ascending, up to 5.5 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs narrowly cylindrical
to fusiform-cylindrical, elongated, somewhat compressed, bifoliate, rarely one-
leaved, 10-27 cm. long, 6-15 mm. in diameter, subtended by several brown scarious
inflated acute sheaths up to 12 cm. long. Leaves linear-elliptic to lanceolate,
narrowly obtuse to acuminate, coriaceous, 13-30 cm. long, 1.3-3.3 cm. wide.
Peduncle short, 3-7 cm. long, 2-3-flowered, the lower part surrounded by several
brown scarious tubular sheaths up to 6.5 cm. long. Floral bracts triangular-
lanceolate, acuminate, scarious, 5-7 mm. long. Flowers rather large, showy,
with stout roughly granulose-tuberculate pedicellate ovaries 1.3-2.3 cm. long.
Sepals pale greenish yellow, oblong-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, 3-6 cm. long,
4.5-8 mm. wide. Petals pale greenish yellow, elliptic-lanceolate, shortly acuminate,
2.5-4 cm. long, 7.5-10 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column for half its length,
triangular-ovate to subcordate-ovate, abruptly acuminate, sagittate or triangular-
auriculate at the base with the auricles prominently incurved, deeply concave,
1.8-2.4 cm. long to the base of the column from the tip of the acuminate apex,
1.2-1.5 cm. wide near the base; disk nervose with the nerves purple, with an oblong-
thickened sulcate callus in the center at the base, the callus occasionally composed
of two short parallel keels. Column 8-10 mm. long, trilobulate at the apex,
purple-spotted, dorsally carinate. Capsule obpyriform to suborbicular-ellipsoid,
strongly winged, rust-brown in color, up to 5.5 cm. long when mature.
Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., said to have
come originally from Mataquescuintla, Dept. Santa Rosa, Steyer-
mark 46387.— Santa Rosa: Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 3499.—
Suchitepequez: Slopes of Volcan Zunil, in vicinity of Finca Monte-
cristo, southeast of Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark 35212.—
"Common throughout highlands:" Lewis 107.
The following collection is in fruit but probably represents this
species: Huehuetenango: Puente El Aguilar, just east of San
Sebastian, Standley 82809.
Epidendrum physodes Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. 289. 1873.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, usually at low altitudes, up to
1,900 meters alt. Rare in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Plant slender, low, up to 3 dm. tall. Stem terete, slender, 1.5-2 mm. in
diameter, concealed by the short tubular compressed leaf-sheaths. Leaves scattered
along the stem, distichous, articulate, triangular-lanceolate, acute to subacuminate
at the apex, sometimes minutely bilobed with a mucro in the sinus, fleshy-cori-
aceous, somewhat dilated at the base and clasping the stem, 1.5-6.5 cm. long, 6-11
mm. wide near the base. Inflorescence composed of one or more delicate fractiflex
few-flowered branches, which are supported by an elongated slender filiform
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 357
peduncle; peduncle up to 20 cm. long, provided with numerous long tubular
acuminate scarious bracts 1.5-2 cm. long, which disintegrate into fibers with age.
Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, 1-3 mm. long. Flowers pale greenish white,
whitish brown or pinkish, with pedicellate ovaries that are about 6 mm. long.
Ovary with a more or less semiglobose vesicle at its summit just under the lip,
about 2 mm. in diameter. Sepals oblong-elliptic, acute to subapiculate, dorsally
keeled especially at the apex, recurved, 5-8.5 mm. long, 2-4 mm. wide; lateral
sepals oblique, slightly united at the base. Petals linear-lanceolate to almost
filiform, acute, 1-nerved, 5-8 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the
column, fleshy; lamina tubular in natural position, when spread out transversely
elliptic, suborbicular-obovate or obovate-flabellate, truncate-mucronate at the
apex, 2.5-6 mm. long, 4-6.5 mm. wide; disk with two fleshy-tumid calli at the
base, thickened along the central portion. Column thickened, clavate, entire to
toothed at the truncate apex, 3-4 mm. long.
This species is distinctive in that the ovary has a more or less
semiglobose vesicle at its summit. The elongated, almost filiform
peduncle is also quite distinctive.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilguitz, Turckheim II 472 (8295). Along Rio
Icvolay, north and northwest of Finca Cubilguitz to Quebrada
Diablo, Steyermark 44722.- — Izabal: Rio Juyama, southeast of
Cheyenne, about fifteen miles southwest of Bananera, Steyermark
39164. Los Andes District, Entre Rios, Lewis 138. Cerro San Gil,
along Rio Bonita, Steyermark 41742.
Epidendrum polyanthum Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 106.
1831. Epidendrum bisetum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 68. 1841
(type: Guatemala, Hort. Loddiges). Epidendrum color ans Klotzsch,
Allg. Gartenz. 19: 250. 1851 (fide Reichenbach, Cogniaux et al.)
(type: Guatemala, Warscewicz). Epidendrum verrucipes Schltr. in
Repert. Sp. Nov. 15: 208. 1918 (type: Guatemala, July, 1866,
Bernoulli & Cario 470).
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees in open country, thickets, or
open or dense humid forests, up to 2,700 meters alt. Widespread
and rather common from Mexico through Central America to
Panama, Venezuela and Brazil.
Plant erect, slender, 3-12 dm. tall. Stem smooth, leafy, 5-6 mm. in diameter,
concealed by the membranaceous leaf-sheaths. Leaves articulate to the leaf-
sheaths, erect-spreading, linear to elliptic-lanceolate or rarely oblong-elliptic,
subobtuse to long-acuminate, up to 22 cm. long and 5.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence
a simple or compound many-flowered raceme, up to 40 cm. long, the main rachis
provided with long whitish coriaceous fugaceous sheaths; individual branches of
the inflorescence as much as 15 cm. long, the racemes 3-4 cm. in diameter, sub-
tended by several tubular scarious sheaths up to 1.5 cm. long, the rachis often
verruculose-papillose. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, scarious, 1-4 mm. long.
Flowers variable in color, yellow-white, orange-yellow, greenish yellow, brownish
358 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
yellow or reddish, with slender verruculose papillose pedicellate ovaries that are
5-15 mm. long. Sepals mostly strongly ribbed along the nerves, more or less
verruculose-papillose on the outer surface; dorsal sepal obovate-elliptic to elliptic-
oblanceolate, rounded to obtuse at the apex, occasionally somewhat apiculate,
7-16 mm. long, 1.2-3.5 mm. wide above the middle; lateral sepals obliquely obovate
to obliquely elliptic-obovate, obtuse to subacute at the apex, 7-16 mm. long,
1.8-5 mm. wide above the middle. Petals filiform to filiform-spatulate, 7-12 mm.
long, less than 0.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina deeply and irregu-
larly 3-lobed, 6-8 mm. long, 7-9 mm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes
extremely variable, auriform, dolabriform, obreniform, obliquely crescent-shaped
or obliquely bilobulate with the lobules widely divergent, 1.5-3.5 mm. long, 3.5-
5 mm. wide; mid-lobe of lip oblong-quadrate to oblong-cuneate, almost truncate
to deeply forcipate-bilobed at the apex, 3-6 mm. long, 2-3 mm. wide near the apex;
disk with two thickened mammillate calli at the base in front of the column, with
three keels along the center, the middle keel extending to about the middle of the
mid-lobe, the lateral keels shorter. Column clavate, arcuate, 6-8 mm. long.
Capsule ovoid, 1-3 cm. long, smooth or more or less muricate.
This species constitutes a polymorphic alliance, with the com-
ponents intergrading too strongly to warrant the recognition of
separate species. The lateral lobes of the lip show a wide range in
shape and in the degree of simplicity or lobing. The species is
very closely allied to E. Clowesii and ultimately may prove to be
conspecific with that species. However, the sepals and pedicellate
ovaries of E. polyanthum are more or less verruculose-papillose,
while those of E. Clowesii are smooth.
Alta Verapaz: Cubilguitz, Turckheim 8007; 8008. Chama,
Johnson 236; 255; 885. Finca Los Alpes, Wilson 355. Vicinity of
Coban, brought from nearby mountains by peddler, Standley 89923.—
Chimaltenango : Chichavac, Skutch 678. Pacaya, Johnston 1359.
Volcan de Pacaya, Johnston & Porter (com. Lewis 203). — Chiqui-
mula: Volcan Ipala, near Amatillo, Steyermark 30534. — Guatemala:
In garden of Don Mariano Pacheco H., said to have come originally
from Palencia, Dept. Guatemala, Steyermark 46395; 39866. — Hue-
huetenango: In cafetal along Rio Amelco, Sierra de los Cuchuma-
tanes, below Finca San Rafael, Steyermark 49678. Quen Santo,
Seler 2314. Between Barillas and Cerro Victoria, Sierra de los
Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49706. — Izabal: Vicinity of Quirigua,
Standley 24471. — Quezaltenango : Volcan Atitlan, Skutch 1523;
Vaught 2666. Densely forested damp white sand quebrada, El
Pocito, south of San Martin Chile Verde, on road to Colomba,
Standley 84952.
Epidendrum polybulbon Sw. Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 124. 1788.
Dinema polybulbon (Sw.) Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 111. 1831.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 359
On trees and rocks in humid forests, up to 3,200 meters alt.
Widespread from Mexico to Honduras, also Cuba and Jamaica.
Plant small, creeping, up to 11 cm. tall, glabrous. Rhizome slender, elongate,
concealed by short brown fibrous-scarious imbricating sheaths. Pseudobulbs
erect-ascending at intervals of 1.5-3 cm. on the rhizome, ovoid to cylindrical-
ellipsoid, pale green, bifoliate, 1.2-3 cm. long, 4-8 mm. in diameter. Leaves
ovate-elliptic to narrowly elliptic-oblong, obtuse-emarginate, coriaceous, shiny
green, conduplicate at the base, 0.8-8 cm. long, 3-11 mm. wide. Flowers one,
rarely two, fasciculate, large for the plant, sweet-scented, with slender pedicellate
ovaries; pedicellate ovaries tinged with red, 1.5-2 cm. long, subtended at the base by
two brown scarious tubular involucre bracts 7-10 mm. long. Sepals linear-lanceo-
late to narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, recurved at the thickened sharply acuminate
apex, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, greenish yellow with a brown infusion
or with reddish streaks below the middle, 8.5-18 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide
about the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals similar in color to the sepals,
linear to linear-oblanceolate, acute-subapiculate at the thickened recurved apex,
falcate, 8-16 mm. long, 1-2.5 mm. wide. Lip yellowish white, with the short
broad claw adnate to the base of the column, 8-17 mm. long to the base of the
column from the apex of the lip; claw 4 mm. or more long and 2 mm. wide, fleshy-
thickened on the upper surface; lamina dilated, suborbicular-ovate to cordate-
triangular, apiculate at the broadly rounded apex, undulate-crenulate along the
margins, 5-12 mm. wide. Column somewhat dorsally flattened, with narrow white
wings extending along the entire length and protruding at the apex as two sharp
hornlike projections about 1.5 mm. long, acutely angled on each side at the apex,
dorsal side deep purple, about 6 mm. long and 1.5 mm. wide; capsule obliquely
ovoid or ellipsoid, 1.2-2 cm. long.
Although this species is variable in the size of the plant and
flowers, it is most variable in the shape of the leaves, which range
from ovate-elliptic to narrowly elliptic-oblong.
Baja Verapaz: Santa Rosa, Turckheim II 2191. North of Santa
Rosa, Standley 69867. Rocky hills near and above Santa Rosa, in
pine-oak forest, Standley 91248. — Chiquimula: Rio Grande (Rio
Concepcion), on Socorro Mountain, above Finca San Jose", south-
east of Concepcion de las Minas, Steyermark 31139. — El Progreso:
Sierra de las Minas, between Calera and summit of Volcan Siglo,
Steyermark 43121. — Guatemala: In the market of Guatemala, 1860,
Hayes. Guatemala Market, Johnston 1651. Fiscal, Deam 6166.
In basket of orchids obtained from Mixco, Margaret W. Lewis 96.—
Quezaltenango: Uppermost ridge of Volcan Santo Tomas, Steyer-
mark 34782. — Santa Rosa: Zamorora, Heyde & Lux 4599. — Totoni-
capam : Pacaja, region of Desconsuelo, mountains above Totonicapam,
Standley 84564. — Zacapa: Along Rio Lima, Sierra de las Minas,
between Rio Hondo and summit of mountain at Finca Alejandria,
Steyermark 29634. Sierra de las Minas, oak-pine woods along upper
360 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
reaches of Rio Sitio Nuevo, between Santa Rosalia and first water-
fall, Steyermark 42271.
Epidendrum porpax Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 220. 1855 (non 1865).
Epiphytic on trees in pine or oak forests, up to 2,000 meters alt.
Uncommon but widespread from Mexico through Central America
to Panama and in Venezuela and Peru.
Plant very small, decumbent, much-branched, up to 8 cm. long including the
flower. Stem erect-ascending, often fractiflex, clothed especially below the middle
with brownish scarious broadly infundibuliform sheaths about 5 mm. long. Leaves
three or more, fleshy-coriaceous, elliptic, mucronate or obliquely retuse at the
apex, spreading, distichous, purplish green, 1.2-3 cm. long, 4-9 mm. wide. Flowers
large for the plant, essentially sessile, pungent, with a disagreeable odor, solitary
(rarely two) at the apex of the stem, with slender elongate pedicellate ovaries that
are 1.5-2.5 cm. long, the segments translucent. Pedicellate ovary subtended by a
scarious compressed apiculate sheath 8-12 mm. long. Sepals and petals light
purplish green. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 9-14 mm. long, 3.5-5 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals triangular to ovate-triangular, oblique, subobtuse to acute,
decurrent on the column and almost hidden behind the large lip, 11-15 mm. long,
4-5 mm. wide near the base. Petals obliquely linear to filiform, 10-15 mm. long,
less than 1.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina porrect, red-brown with
a greenish margin, suborbicular-cordate, subreniform, to somewhat obcordate,
more or less retuse at the apex, mostly cordate at the base, with the margins ciliate,
8-13 mm. long, 9-14 mm. wide; disk with a pair of fleshy calli at the base, thickened
along the middle on the lower part. Column green, dilated above, 4-7 mm. long.
Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, 1.5-2.5 cm. long.
Baja Verapaz: Sierra de las Minas, El Rancho, Kellerman 7033.—
Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, along Rio Rillito del Volcan de Monos,
Volcan de Monos, Steyermark 42392.
Epidendrum pseudoramosum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10:
361. 1912 (type: Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, near Coban, September,
1907, Turckheim II 1951).
Epiphytic on trees and on stumps in open or dense forests, up to
1,500 meters alt. Uncommon in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa
Rica.
Plant spreading, much-branched, up to 50 cm. tall (or long). Stem flexuose,
terete, concealed by whitish membranaceous sheaths. Leaves erect-spreading,
linear-ligulate, obtuse and obliquely retuse at the apex, dorsally carinate, 6.5-12.5
cm. long, 4.5-12 mm. wide; leaf-sheaths more or less rugose. Inflorescence a
spike terminating the branches, shortly pedunculate, laxly few-flowered, up to
5.5 cm. long including the peduncle; rachis mostly fractiflex. Floral bracts very
conspicuous, tubular-spathaceous, yellowish membranaceous, obtuse to acute, the
apical margins often hyaline, up to 12 mm. long. Flowers erect-spreading to
suberect, greenish white, fleshy-coriaceous, barely exceeding the bracts. Sepals
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 361
ovate-oblong to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, somewhat concave, 5-6 mm. long, about
2 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals linear, obtuse, 4.5-5 mm. long,
about 1 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina broadly triangular-ovate to
broadly cordate-ovate, rounded to obtuse at the apex, the basal angles or auricles
obtuse, the margins somewhat upcurved, 3-4 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide; disk with
a small sulcate tridentate callus on the lower part, with a thickened keel along the
center extending almost to the apex. Column white, short, 3-3.5 mm. long,
extending up to the middle of the lamina of the lip, with a prominent falcate-
oblong auricle on each side at the apex.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 2461a. Chama to Coban,
Johnson 900. — Chiquimula: Volcan Ipala, near Amatillo, Steyermark
37544. — Quezaltenango: Slopes of Volcan Santa Maria, between
Finca Pirineos and Los Positos, between Santa Maria de Jesus and
Calahuache*, Steyermark 33782.
Epidendrum pygmaeum Hook. Bot. Mag. 60: t. 3233. 1833.
Hormidium tripterum (Brongn.) Cogn. in Mart. Fl. Bras. 3, pt. 5:
29. 1898. Hormidium pseudopygmaeum Finet, Bull. Herb. Boiss. 7:
121, t. 3. 1899. Figure 98.
In humid forests on trees and rocks, up to 1,800 meters alt.
Widespread from southern Florida, through Middle America and
the West Indies to Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.
Plant glabrous, consisting of a creeping branched rhizome that gives rise to
numerous remote ascending or erect pseudobulbs. Rhizome concealed by inflated
imbricate brown scarious sheaths. Pseudobulbs slender, ellipsoid, fusiform,
cylindric, bifoliate, rarely 3-leaved, 2.5-10 cm. long, subtended by one or more
brownish sheaths that are ovate, acute or acuminate-cuspidate, scarious and
1.5-4.5 cm. long. Leaves subopposite, erect-spreading, oval to linear, obtuse to
acute or cuspidate, coriaceous, 1.5-14 cm. long, 8-20 mm. wide. Peduncle ab-
breviated, occasionally fractiflex, up to 3 cm. long, subtended by scarious sheaths
that are up to 2 cm. long. Floral bracts small, broadly ovate, acute, 3-5 mm.
long, scarious. Flowers small, one or several, with pedicellate ovaries up to 1.7 cm.
long. Sepals spreading, greenish or brownish green, often tinged with lavender,
thick and fleshy, longitudinally triangular at the apex; dorsal sepal elliptic to
oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, 5-11 mm. long, 1.5-4 mm. wide near the base;
lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, oblique, dorsally
carinate, shortly connate at the base, 5-12 mm. long, 1.7-4 mm. wide. Petals
similar to the sepals in color, often whitish at the base, linear, abruptly acute to
acuminate, thickened at the apex, 4-9 mm. long, 2 mm. or less wide. Lip adnate
to the lower half of the column to form a cup, white with a purple blotch at the
base of the mid-lobe, 3-lobed, with the central portion sulcate, 2.5-8.8 mm. long
to the base of the column from the apex of the mid-lobe, 3.2-8 mm. wide across
the lateral lobes when spread out; lateral lobes oblong-oval to suborbicular, with
the margins finely erose, upcurved, 1.5-3 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide; mid-lobe
minute, triangular, apiculate, 1-3 mm. long. Column 2-5 mm. long, trilobulate
at the apex. Capsule ellipsoid, broadly 3-angled and winged along the angles,
1-2 cm. long.
362 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
This is an extremely variable species as to the size of the plant
and flowers.
Alta Verapaz: Rio Coban, Johnson 737. — Izabal: Los Andes
district, near Entre Rios, Margaret W. Lewis 181. Between Bananera
and "La Presa" in Montana del Mico, Steyermark 39207. — Zacapa:
Middle and upper south-facing slopes of Volcan Gemelos, Steyer-
mark 43262. Between Loma El Picacho and Cerro de Monos,
Steyermark 42823. — Near Hacienda San Jose" del Arco, east of
Comitan, very humid forests on shore of Lake Montebello, Long.
91° 45', Lat. 16° 05', Otto Nagel 4478. This collection is cited
because it was obtained somewhere on the boundary which separates
the State of Chiapas, Mexico, from the Department of Huehue-
tenango, Guatemala. Lake Montebello is shown in Guatemala on
some maps and in Mexico on others.
Epidendrum radiatum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 58. 1841.
Figure 99.
On trees and rocks in dense or open forests, up to 1,200 meters
alt. Rather common from Mexico to Costa Rica, also Venezuela.
Plant stout, glabrous, 12-40 cm. tall. Pseudobulbs stipitate, obliquely ovoid-
ellipsoid to narrowly fusiform, compressed, strongly ribbed, 2-3-leaved, 4-13 cm.
long, 2-3 cm. wide. Leaves linear-ligulate to linear-lanceolate, obtuse to acumi-
nate, coriaceous, 11-35 cm. long, 1.2-3.2 cm. wide. Raceme few- to many-flowered,
7-24 cm. long including the peduncle; peduncle stout, provided with several short
scarious bracts 3-10 mm. long. Floral bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, 3-5 mm.
long. Flowers showy, pale greenish white or yellowish green, the lip striate with
purple, fragrant, with stout pedicellate ovaries 1.5-3 cm. long. Sepals oblong-
elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, occasionally apiculate, weakly
keeled along the back at the apex, 1.3-2.2 cm. long, 5-7.5 mm. wide about the
middle; lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic-obovate to sub-
orbicular-spatulate, obtuse to acute, erose-crisped along the margins, 1.3-2.3 cm.
long, 7-13 mm. wide above the middle. Lip adnate to the lower part of the
column, broadly cordate-ovate to transversely elliptic-suborbicular, more or less
retuse with an apicule in the sinus, distinctly auriculate at the base with the
auricles incurved, deeply cochleate, undulate-crenate along the margins, 1-1.5 cm.
long, 1.5-2.3 cm. wide; disk nervose, with the nerves purple, with a fleshy oblong-
quadrate pubescent callus on the lower half, the callus about 4 mm. long and
2 mm. wide, trilobulate above and the crest adorned with a V-shaped ridge toward
the base. Column stout, trilobulate at the apex, with the mid-lobule erose-lacini-
FIG. 98. Epidendrum pygmaeum. 1, fruiting plant (X %); 2, flower, side
view (X 3); 3, dorsal sepal (X 4); 4, petal (X 4); 5, lateral sepal (X 4); 6, lip
and column, front view, lip spread out (X 4); 7, anther cap (enlarged). Original
drawing by Blanche Ames; redrawn by G. W. Dillon.
363
364 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
ate, dorsally carinate, greenish with purple spots at the base, 8-11 mm. long.
Capsule ellipsoid, strongly 3-angled and winged on the angles, 4-4.5 cm. long.
Amatitlan: Villa Nueva, Heyde & Lux 4609. — Chimaltenango:
Chimaltenango, Johnston 1308. — Guatemala: Fiscal, Deam 6072.—
Pet&i: La Libertad and vicinity, M. Aguilar 249. — Santa Rosa:
Santa Rosa, Heyde & Lux 3500. — "Guatemala:" universal, Lewis 39.
Epidendrum ramosum Jacq. Enum. PI. Carib. 29. 1760, and
Select. Stirp. Am. 221. t. 132. 1763; ampl. Ames, Hubbard &
Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Lean. Harv. Univ. 2: 45. 1934.
Epiphytic on trees in forests, often hanging from trees like vines,
also on rocks, up to 2,000 meters alt. Rather common and wide-
spread from Mexico through Central America to Panama, through-
out the West Indies and in northern South America.
Plant variable in habit, upright, pendulous or somewhat creeping, simple to
much-branched, often growing in dense colonies, up to 9 dm. tall. Stems slender
and often flexuous to stiff and rather stout, up to 4 mm. in diameter just below the
inflorescence, concealed by the subcoriaceous unspotted leaf-sheaths, often rooting
above when creeping or decumbent; branches variable in length and number.
Leaves more or less coriaceous, linear-ligulate, lanceolate or oblong-elliptic, ob-
liquely retuse at the rounded to obtuse apex, 1-12 cm. long, 2-14 mm. wide. In-
florescence terminal at the end of the main stem and branches, 2- to several-
flowered; rachis slender, often fractiflex. Floral bracts variable in size and texture,
more or less conspicuous, tubular-conduplicate, rounded-obtuse to subacute at
the apex, unspotted, 0.5-1.7 cm. long, up to 1.2 cm. wide when spread out. Flowers
creamy white, yellow-green, greenish white, often tinged with dark red or bronze,
variable in size and texture, usually somewhat coriaceous. Sepals elliptic-oblong
to lanceolate, subacute to acute, more or less carinate at the apex on the exterior
surface and rarely dentate at the apex, 4.5-13 mm. long, 1.5-3 mm. wide; lateral
sepals slightly oblique. Petals linear to linear-spatulate, rounded-obtuse to acute,
4.5-13 mm. long, 0.2-2.3 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina simple
to occasionally subtrilobulate, ovate to triangular-ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
rounded to acuminate at the apex, cordate or subcordate at the base, 4-9 mm. long,
2-5 mm. wide near the base; disk with a callus on the lower part. The callus is
variable in the distance that it extends down the disk; a sulcate callus is usually
truncate at the apex with a slender keel extending to near the apex and is also
usually distinctly bifurcate at the base. The callus is occasionally somewhat
trilobulate at the apex, thus approaching var. mixtum. Column stout, extending
slightly beyond the cordate base of the lamina of the lip, its apex truncate to
dorsally excavated, with or without two divergent dorsal terminal teeth.
This is an extremely polymorphic species, which forms an
alliance composed of the above species and its three varieties treated
below.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnson 732. Wet forest near Tactic,
above the bridge across Rio Frio, Standley 90476. Lowland forest
E,PIDE,NDRUM
raoiatitm
FIG. 99. Epidendrum radiatum. Flowering plant (X 1); 1, lip and column
(X 1H); 2, anther (greatly enlarged); 3, pollinia (greatly enlarged). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
365
366 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
in valley, "pantano," 2^ miles west of Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark
44332. Along Rio Carcha, between Coban and San Pedro Carcha,
Standley 89928; 89945. — Chimaltenango : Lower and middle south-
western slopes of Volcan Fuego, above Finca Montevideo, along
Barranca Espinazo and tributary of Rio Pantaleon, Steyermark
52096. — Chiquimula: Slopes of Montana Tajuran, vicinity of El
Barriol, Steyermark 30778. — Guatemala: Road to Mataquescuintla,
about eighteen miles from Guatemala City, Margaret W. Lewis 134.—
Quezaltenango: Palmar, Skutch 1423. Lower south-facing slopes of
Volcan Santa Maria, between Finca Pirineos and Los Positos, be-
tween Santa Maria de Jesus and Calahuache", Steyermark 33782. —
San Marcos: Between Finca El Porvenir to "Numero 6," lower
south-facing slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37120. — Solola:
Pine woods bordering Rio Bravo, in vicinity of Finca Moca, south-
facing slopes of Volcan Atitlan, Steyermark 47955. — Suchitepequez :
Slopes of Volcan Zunil, in vicinity of Finca Montecristo, southeast
of Santa Maria de Jesus, Steyermark 35238.
Epidendrum ramosum var. angustifolium (Cogn.) L. 0.
Wms. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 28: 422. 1941. Epidendrum ramosum
var. imbricatum (Lindl.) Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot.
Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 2: 47. 1934.
Habitat similar to that of the typical form, up to 3,200 meters
alt. Uncommon in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, His-
paniola (Dominican Republic) and Brazil.
Plant usually stout and branched, up to 2 meters tall. Stem erect or more or
less recumbent, stout, commonly 5-6 mm. in diameter just below the inflorescence.
Leaf-sheaths finely maculate in the extreme development. Leaves often larger
than in the species. Inflorescence several-flowered, usually stiffly erect, a distichous
lax or compact spicate raceme. Floral bracts usually large, often spathaceous,
mostly finely maculate and imbricated, strongly conduplicate and carinate, dis-
tichous, 1.5-3 cm. long, elliptic-oval to broadly ovate when spread out. Flowers
and floral segments similar to but often larger than those of the typical form.
Sepals and petals obtuse to acute or occasionally acuminate. Disk of the lip
normally with a callus similar to that of the typical form, but rarely with the
apex somewhat trilobulate as in var. mixtum.
Variety angustifolium intergrades strongly with the typical form
of the species and separation is at times difficult. Characters that
make for its separation when grouped or even alone, if they are
extreme, are the thicker stems, the presence of a fine maculation
on the leaf -sheaths and bracts, the more imbricated and conduplicate
bracts (which are also apt to be more conspicuous), the tendency
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 367
toward broader and larger leaves, and the rather dense head-like
inflorescences in the more extreme form.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 267. — Guatemala: Volcan de
Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley 58490. — Izabal: Los Andes
district, near Entre Rios, Lewis 142. — Jalapa: Montana Miramundo,
near Miramundo, Steyermark 32831. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas,
middle and upper south-facing slopes of Volcan Gemelos, Steyermark
43285.
Epidendrum ramosum var. lanceolatum Griseb. Fl. Brit.
West Ind. 614. 1864.
Epiphytic on trees at low elevations. Widespread but uncommon
in Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Cuba.
Variety lanceolatum differs from the typical form of the species (and its
other varieties) mainly in the type of inflorescence and the somewhat larger
flowers. The flowers, instead of being borne in a raceme as in the other segregates
of this species, are borne singly or several in a cluster at the apex of the short
lateral branches. Each flower is subtended by several to many closely appressed
imbricated bracts and, if clustered, the flowers are borne on separate peduncles.
The leaves are usually longer than those of the typical form.
According to Steyermark, this plant is commonly called "ak-
bakal-chan" in Guatemala.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 267. Along Rio Icvolay between
Rio Apia and Rio Soctela, 8-10 miles northwest of Cubilgiiitz,
Steyermark 45081.
Epidendrum ramosum Jacq. var. mixtum (Schltr.) Ames,
Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 2: 49. 1934.
Epidendrum mixtum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 294. 1912 (type:
Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, near Coban, December, 1907, Turckheim
II 1868).
Habitat similar to that of the species; commonly found on pine
trees in open forests. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and
Honduras.
Plant very variable, up to 10 dm. tall, nearly simple to heavily branched.
Stem slender to stout, sometimes flexuous. Leaves similar to but often larger
than in the typical form, mostly of two distinct sizes; the main stem leaves usually
much larger than those of the branches. Inflorescence terminal on the main
stem or on the short branches, usually drooping, racemose, several-flowered.
Floral bracts similar to those of the typical form. Flowers similar to the typical
form of the species, the segments acuminate at the apex, the sepals more or less
dorsally carinate at the apex with the keel often dentate. Disk of the lamina
of the lip with a callus that is tridentate or trilobulate at its apex.
368 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Variety mixtum is separable from the typical form by having
the apex of the callus tridentate or trilobulate and by the more
acuminate apices of the floral segments, especially of the lip. In
the extreme form the very long leaves of the main stems are also
diagnostic. It differs from var. angustifolium in the acuminate
apices of the perianth-segments and in the usually drooping inflores-
cences.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 4170; II 1868; II 2086. Coban,
Cemetery Calvario, Johnson 552. — Chiquimula: Volcan Quezalte-
peque, 3-4 miles northeast of Quezaltepeque, Steyermark 31445.—
Quiche" : Cerro Putul, "Zona Reyna," Skutch 1830.
Epidendrum repens Cogn. in Repert. Sp. Nov. 7: 122. 1909.
Epiphytic on trees, usually in very humid regions, up to 2,100
meters alt. Widespread but not particularly common from Mexico
through Central America to Panama, in the West Indies and in
Venezuela.
Plant pendent, distichously much-branched, entwined, 3 dm. or more in
length; branches mostly fractiflex. Stem slender, more or less fractiflex, about
1 mm. in diameter, many-leaved, concealed by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves small,
numerous, spreading articulate, oblong-elliptic to occasionally elliptic-lanceolate,
obtuse and usually obliquely retuse at the apex, coriaceous, 0.8-3.2 cm. long,
3.5-6 mm. wide. Flowers solitary at the apex of the branches, sessile, leathery,
subtended by 2-3 close-fitting bracts. Bracts distichous, overlapping, broadly
ovate, obtuse to somewhat acute, scarious especially along the margins, more or
less conduplicate and keeled on the back, 5-7 mm. long. Sepals oblong-elliptic
to broadly lanceolate, subobtuse to shortly acuminate, more or less carinate on
the back at the apex, nervose, longitudinally concave, 7-8 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide; lateral sepals somewhat oblique. Petals linear, obtuse to acute, slightly
oblique, 7-8 mm. long, less than 1 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina
entire, triangular-ovate to ovate-cordate or subhastate-triangular, acute, nervose,
concave with the margins upcurved, 4-4.5 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. wide at the
base when spread out; disk ecallose or with the central nerve fleshy-thickened
above the middle. Column short, thick, 2.5-3 mm. long. Capsule ovoid, glossy,
chocolate-colored, about 1 cm. long.
In habit this species sometimes resembles E. strobiliferum, with
which it has been confused.
Alta Verapaz : Tactic, Johnston 1831. Coban, Muenscher 12542.—
San Marcos: Finca El Porvenir along Rio Chopal, slopes of Volcan
Tajumulco, Steyermark 37523. Between Finca La Patria and "To-
dos Santos Grande," Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark 37699. — Pur-
chased at the Christmas market in Guatemala City, probably found
around Guatemala City, Lewis 187.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 369
Epidendrum rigidum Jacq. Enum. PI. Carib. 29. 1760, and
Select. Stirp. Am. 222, t. 134. 1763. Figure 100.
Epiphytic on trees in dense tropical forests, open forests and in
cypress areas, up to 1,400 meters alt. Widespread and quite com-
mon from Florida and Mexico, through Central America to Panama,
throughout the West Indies and northern South America.
Plant consisting of a creeping and often branched compressed rhizome that
gives rise to scattered erect or ascending stems; stems entirely concealed by the
leaf-sheaths, up to 3 dm. tall. Leaves distichous, articulate, oblong-elliptic to
linear-oblong, obtuse and usually obliquely retuse at the apex, coriaceous, 2.5-12.5
cm. long, 6-22 mm. wide. Inflorescence a slender rigid spicate raceme of few or
many scattered flowers, up to 15 cm. long including the short peduncle. Floral
bracts green or brownish, with scarious hyaline margins, distichous and equitant,
concave-conduplicate with a prominent keel on the back, membranaceous, ovate
to broadly triangular when spread out, subobtuse to acuminate, concealing the
ovaries and often most of the flowers, 9-25 mm. long, 7-10 mm. wide at the base
when spread out. Flowers inconspicuous, green or yellowish green, sessile, the
segments leathery. Sepals ovate, ovate-oblong to oblong-elliptic, obtuse to sub-
acute, 4.5-10 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals linear to
linear-oblanceolate, obtuse, more or less denticulate on the margins, 4-9 mm.
long, 1-2.5 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the column; lamina broadly
cordate-ovate to suborbicular, obtuse and occasionally retuse at the apex, the
margins usually crenulate-denticulate, 2.5-6 mm. long, 3-5.5 mm. wide; disk with
a pair of small calli at the base. Column short, stout, 2-3 mm. long, dentate at
the apex. Capsule ellipsoid, 1-2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Tucuru, Turckheim 2434. Gogolo, Johnson 1281.
Along Rio Polochic, near Pancajche", Standley 91855. — Chimalte-
nango: San Martin, Johnston 1246. — Huehuetenango: Between Ixcan
and Rio Ixcan, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49293.—
Izabal: Puerto Barrios, Deam 6021. Vicinity of Quirigua, Standley
24474. Shores of Lago Izabal, on side opposite San Felipe, between
Punta dos Reales and Punta de Lechuga, Steyermark 39626. Los
Andes district, Margaret W. Lewis 36. — Pete"n: La Libertad, Landell
3526. Cerro Ceibal (Sierra Mojada, Chorro Ceibal, or Cerro San
Martin), between mouth of Rio Santa Monica and mouth of Rio
San Martin, on left side of Rio Cancuen (going down-stream),
Steyermark 46094.
Epidendrum Schlechterianum Ames, Sched. Orch. 7: 9. fig. 1.
1924. Figure 101.
Terrestrial, on boulders or epiphytic on trees in open or dense
humid forests, up to 1,100 meters alt. Uncommon from Mexico
through Central America, Trinidad and northern South America.
370 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant short, erect, densely caespitose or matted, often much-branched, up
to 6.5 cm. tall including the flowers. Stem densely leaved, completely enveloped
by the imbricated leaf-sheaths. Leaves non-articulate, approximate, distichous,
conspicuously equitant, widely spreading, ovate-oblong to oblong-elliptic or
linear-oblong, obtuse and obliquely retuse and apiculate at the apex, very fleshy,
convex, 1-3.2 cm. long, 3-7 mm. wide when expanded, with reddish or hyaline
margins, sharply carinate on the back; leaf-sheaths dilated at the apex. Flowers
usually two (rarely solitary) at the apex of the stem, large for the plant, sessile,
erect, variously colored, usually yellow-green, reddish green, bronze-green, green
with a pink infusion or pale pink-purple. Sepals 8.8-20 mm. long, 3.2-5 mm. wide,
usually strongly keeled along the back at the apex, with the keel of the lateral
ones more or less denticulate, the margins mostly denticulate-ciliate; dorsal sepal
ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, subobtuse to shortly acuminate, often apiculate;
lateral sepals very oblique, decurrent on the column along its posterior margin,
ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, strongly wing-keeled. Petals oblong-
lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, obliquely inserted on the
column, minutely denticulate-ciliate on the margins, 6-18 mm. long, 2-3 mm.
wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina more or less reniform to suborbicular-
cordate, abruptly and sharply apiculate, fleshy, lightly undulate along the thin
and minutely erose-ciliate upcurved margins, 4.5-9 mm. long, 5-11.6 mm. wide
when spread out; disk often thickened along the central portion. Column lightly
curved, with short obliquely rounded to oblong-obtuse lateral lobes at the apex,
with the retuse center denticulate to lacerate, 5-6.6 mm. long. Capsule triangularly
spherical, compressed, about 1 cm. long, covered with dark red flecks.
This short fleshy plant superficially resembles many species of
Sedum. Its thickly imbricated and dilated leaf-bases and leaf-
sheaths give to the stem a much-thickened appearance.
Pete"n: Oneida-Chickasaw connection about station 363, Lewis 30.
Epidendrum Schweinfurthianum Correll, Am. Orch. Soc.
Bull. 16: 456. pi. 1947 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Zacapa, Sierra de
las Minas, terrestrial, upper slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of
mountain, alt. 2,100-2,400 meters, January 12-13, 1942, Steyer-
mark 42521). Figure 102.
Apparently endemic to Guatemala.
Plant caespitose, up to 6.5 dm. tall; stems slender, leafy, simple or branched
above. Leaves narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse-apiculate to acute, subcori-
aceous, rigid, up to 11 cm. long and 1.8 cm. wide; leaf-sheaths purplish rugose
or verrucose. Raceme terminal, sometimes two, few-flowered, up to 10 cm. long,
subtended by several chartaceous sheaths. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate to
elliptic-lanceolate, acute, up to 1 cm. long. Flowers with slender orchid-colored
pedicellate ovaries that are up to 3 cm. long. Sepals and petals deep orchid-
FIG. 100. Epidendrum rigidum. 1, plant (X 1); 2, lip and column, front-
side view (X 5); 3, flower, side view (X 3); 4, anther (enlarged). Drawn by
Blanche Ames.
371
372
FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
J
EPIDENDRUM
UcU&cfit
erianum
€4,
mcs
FIG. 101. Epidendrum Schlechterianum. Plant (X 1); upper left, lip, column,
and petal, side view (X \Yi); upper right, lateral sepal, from above (X
Drawn by Blanche Ames.
color on the outer surface, rufous-brown within. Sepals fleshy-thickened, elliptic
to elliptic-obovate, thickened and conspicuously cucullate at the broadly obtuse
apex, 1.1-1.2 cm. long, 6-7 mm. wide; lateral sepals only slightly oblique. Petals
thinner than the sepals, obovate-cuneate, dilated on each side above the middle,
with the upper posterior margin more or less lobulate, concave on the upper portion,
broadly rounded to truncate at the apex, 1.1-1.3 cm. long, 8.5-10.5 mm. wide
near the apex. Lip adnate to the column to near its apex, deeply 3-lobed, 1.4-1.5
cm. long, 1.6-1.8 cm. wide across the lateral lobes; lateral lobes unequally bilobu-
late, with the posterior lobule obcordate and irregularly crenulate on the rounded
apex, with the anterior lobule ovate and obtuse; mid-lobe deeply bilobulate with
FIG. 102. Epidendrum Schweinfurthianum. 1, plant (X 1A) ; 2, flower ( X
Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
373
374 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
the lobules divergent, broadly cuneate in outline, with the lobules obovate and
crenulate or sometimes lobulate at the broadly rounded apex; disk with the nerves
slightly raised and thickened, with an oblong sulcate callus just in front of the
column and a narrow fleshy ridge extending from the callus to the sinus of the
mid-lobe; callus 1.8 mm. wide, terminating in two short lateral fleshy nipples
with a smaller point in the sinus. Column orchid-colored, 6 mm. long, dilated at
the more or less bilobed apex; lobes with undulate-crenate margins and a narrow
lobule on the posterior side, adorned on the inner surface with a fleshy oblique
ridge near the sinus of the narrow lobule.
This species is allied to E. exasperatum Reichb. f ., a Costa Rican
species, and E. Schumannianum Schltr., from Costa Rica and
Panama. It differs from E. exasperatum primarily in its smooth,
not roughened, sepals, larger and differently shaped petals, differently
shaped lip and complete lack of lateral inflorescences, which are
characteristic of E. exasperatum. It differs from E. Schumannianum
mainly in its narrower, more attenuate leaves, differently shaped
lateral lobes of the lip and differently shaped callus.
This species is represented from Guatemala only by the type
collection.
Epidendrum selligerum Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24:
Misc. 40. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum diotum
Lindl. Bot. Reg. 29: Misc. 65. 1843 (type: Guatemala, Hartweg).
Encyclia selligera (Batem.) Schltr. Orchideen 211. 1914. Encyclia
diota (Lindl.) Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 472. 1918.
Epiphytic on trees in open or heavy woods, up to 1,500 meters
alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant rather stout, glabrous, up to 12 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid, glazed,
4-10 cm. long, 2-5 cm. in diameter, 1-2-leaved. Leaves linear-ligulate, obtuse
to acute, mostly conduplicate, 14-40 cm. long, 1.3-4.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence
a loosely flowered panicle, up to 11 dm. long including the peduncle; peduncle
stout, provided with light brown scarious bracts up to 2.5 cm. long; branches of
panicle subtended by scarious ovate-cucullate bracts up to 6 mm. long. Floral
bracts ovate-cucullate, acute, 2-4 mm. long. Flowers showy, fragrant, with slender
pedicellate ovaries about 1.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-oblong to elliptic-oblanceo-
late, subobtuse to acute or apiculate, somewhat thickened and dorsally carinate
at the apex, concave above the middle, green-brown or yellow suffused with brown,
1.4-2 cm. long, 4-7 mm. wide above the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
broadly obovate to spatulate, broadly rounded and slightly apiculate at the apex,
same color as the sepals, the margins somewhat undulate-crisped, 1.3-2 cm. long,
4-9 mm. wide near the apex. Lip adnate to base of column, deeply 3-lobed, white
or yellowish with purple veins, 1-2 cm. long from apex to base of column; lateral
lobes variable, obliquely oblong to triangular-oblong, broadly rounded or narrowly
obtuse at the apex, porrect, occasionally constricted about the middle or tapering
above the middle, up to 10 mm. long to base of sinus, 6-7 mm. wide near base;
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 375
mid-lobe separated from the lateral lobes by a short isthmus, suborbicular-obovate
to ovate-subquadrate, subtruncate to subacute at the apex, rarely slightly retuse,
with the conspicuously undulate-crisped margins somewhat upturned, 5.5-9 mm.
wide, usually smaller than the lateral lobes; disk with an elliptic sulcate callus
extending from near the base along the isthmus to the lower part of the mid-lobe.
Column semiterete, slightly arcuate, not winged, white with lavender veins.
Capsule ellipsoid, about 3.5 cm. long.
This species is closely allied to several species of Epidendrum
found in Guatemala, particularly E. alatum. It is distinguished from
that species in that the column is not winged or auricled on each
side at the apex.
Chimaltenango: Johnston 1198. — "Guatemala:" Bates 8.
Epidendrum singuliflorum Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 10: 484.
1912 (type: Guatemala, epiphytic on a tree in Pansamala, August,
1886, Turckheim 1096).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,200 meters alt. Very rare in Guate-
mala.
Plant much-branched, up to 40 cm. long, pendent. Stem terete, about 3 mm.
in diameter, concealed by the imbricated leaf-sheaths. Leaves spreading, ligulate,
obtuse and retuse at the apex, coriaceous, 1.5-2.3 cm. long, 5-7 mm. wide. Flowers
apparently solitary at the apex of the branches, erect, subtended by imbricated
scarious bracts. Sepals linear-ligulate to lanceolate, acute, 1.2 cm. long; lateral
sepals somewhat oblique. Petals linear, acute, a little shorter than the sepals.
Lip tubular-involute, adnate to the column for about 2.5 mm.; lamina ovate-
oblong, narrowly obtuse, rotundate at the base, obscurely trilobulate above the
middle, 7.5 mm. long, 5 mm. wide across the middle; disk with a pair of short
keels at the base which become confluent above and extend to the apex as a
solitary keel. Column short, thick, unequally 5-lobulate at the apex, 4 mm.
long.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum Skinneri Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 22: t. 1881.
1836 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Barkeria Skinneri var. major
Paxton, Mag. Bot. 15: 1, t. 1849. Epidendrum Fuchsii Regel, Ind.
Sem. Hort. Turic. 4. 1850; in Schweiz. Zeitschr. Gartenb. 9: 202,
t. 1851 (type: Guatemala, Hort.Fuchs). Epidendrum Skinneri [var.]
superbum Warner, Select Orch. PI. 1: t. 38-text. 1862-65 (type:
Guatemala, Skinner ex Hort. Veitch).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,900 meters alt. Uncommon in
Guatemala.
Plant slender, erect or erect-ascending, loosely caespitose, up to 50 cm. tall.
Stem fusiform-cylindrical, 5-14 cm. long, 4-5 mm. in diameter, concealed by the
scarious leaf-sheaths. Leaves several, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute to
376 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
acuminate, dorsally keeled, distichous, fleshy, 2.5-15 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide.
Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered simple or rarely compound raceme up to
15 cm. long, terminating a slender elongated peduncle; peduncle concealed by long
imbricated scarious sheaths. Floral bracts triangular-ovate to triangular-lanceo-
late, acuminate, scarious, up to 1.5 cm. long. Flowers lilac-purple, rose-purple
or red-magenta, showy, with slender reddish pedicellate ovaries 2-2.5 cm. long.
Sepals spreading, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute to acuminate or apiculate,
sometimes carinate on the back toward the apex, 1.5-2.2 cm. long, 3.5-8 mm.
wide. Petals broadly elliptic to ovate, acute to shortly acuminate, spreading,
1.3-2 cm. long, 6-10 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column for about 3 mm.;
lamina broadly ovate to broadly elliptic, obtuse, abruptly acute or shortly acumi-
nate, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 7-15 mm. wide; disk with three central yellowish keels,
which are more thickened and higher near base of disk. Column somewhat
clavate, 6-8 mm. long.
This very attractive plant is known in Guatemala as "Flor de
San Francisco" and "La Aurora."
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnston 1395. — Amatitlan: Amatitlan,
Jesus Morales R. 1163. — Guatemala: Aguilar 143. Mixco, Sala
1471. Pamplona golf course, Lewis 135. Bought in market, Guate-
mala, Standley 57847.- — Jalapa: On tree in quebrada, mountains
along the road between Jalapa and San Pedro Pinula, Standley
77064. Vicinity of Jalapa, bought from a peddler, Standley 76776.—
Jutiapa: Los Llanitos, near San Jose" Acatempa, Standley 60590.—
Santa Rosa: Casillas, Heyde & Lux 4276.
Epidendrum Skutchii Ames, Hubbard & Schweinfurth, Bot.
Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 4: 1, t. 1936 (type: Guatemala, Dept.
Quiche", Nebaj, November 19, 1934, Skutch 1715). Figure 103.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 1,800 meters alt. Very rare in Guate-
mala.
Plant tall, much-branched, "bushy," up to 12 dm. tall. Stem slender, woody,
leafless below, concealed by close whitish tubular sheaths. Leaves 2-4, clustered
near the ends of the branches, linear to linear-lanceolate, long-attenuate with an
acute apex, subcoriaceous, up to 16.5 cm. long and 7 mm. wide. Inflorescence
racemose, few-flowered, shorter than the leaves, lax to nodding; peduncle longer
than the rachis, very slender, adorned below the middle with a single scarious
linear-lanceolate bract; rachis abbreviated, fractiflex. Floral bracts inconspicuous,
narrowly triangular-lanceolate, acuminate, membranaceous, about 5 mm. long.
Flowers greenish yellow, intricately marked with dull red, with slender pedicellate
ovaries that are about 1 cm. long. Sepals and petals spreading and strongly
revolute, with prominent nerves. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblanceolate to oblanceolate,
obtuse, sometimes with a dorsal mucro at the apex, 10.5-12 mm. long, 3.5-4.2 mm.
wide. Lateral sepals elliptic-lanceolate to lanceolate-oval, dorsally carinate at
the apex and usually apiculate, somewhat oblique, 11.3-11.8 mm. long, 4.1-5.4
mm. wide. Petals oblong-oblanceolate to oblanceolate, acute to rounded and
slightly retuse at the apex, 11-12 mm. long, 3.2-4.6 mm. wide. Lip adnate to
FIG. 103. Epidendrum Skutchii. Top, floral cluster (X 2j/£); 1, fruit
(X 2^); 2, longitudinal section of lip, column, and ovary to show vesicle (about
X 5); 3, pollinia (much enlarged). Drawn by Blanche Ames.
377
378 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
the column; lamina triangular-ovate in general outline, somewhat contracted
above the middle on each side causing the lip to appear slightly trilobulate, cordate
at the base, retuse at the apex, with irregularly crenulate margins above the
middle, 8.1-11.2 mm. long from base of auricles to tip of lobules, 9.5-13 mm.
wide below the middle; disk with a prominent central fleshy broadly clavate-
elliptic callus, which is deeply bisulcate at the base and extends to the apex of
the lip. Column strongly dilated above, with an oblique retrorse tooth on either
side of the apex, about 7 mm. long. Ovary with a more or less distinct vesicle
at its summit under the lip.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum sobralioides Ames & Correll, Amer. Orch. Soc.
Bull. 12: 60. pi. 2. 1943 (type: Guatemala, Dept. Zacapa, Sierra de
las Minas, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro de Monos, at 2,000-
2,600 meters altitude, epiphyte on tree on top of ridge at base of ridge
leading to Cerro de Monos, January 16, 1942, Steyermark 42764).
Figure 104.
Epiphyte, up to 2,600 meters alt. Apparently endemic to
Guatemala.
Plant caespitose, 4 dm. tall. Stem slender, leafy, concealed by the purplish
leaf-sheaths. Leaves ascending, linear-lanceolate, acute, coriaceous, dark green
tinged with purple, up to 11 cm. long and 1 cm. wide. Inflorescence terminal, a
short few-flowered raceme; peduncle and rachis about 3 cm. long. Floral bracts
linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate, up to 1.8 cm. long. Flowers large for the
genus, brown-yellow, marked with purple and olive-green, the scarcely spreading
segments fleshy-subcoriaceous; pedicellate ovary brown-purple, lucid, arcuate,
about 2 cm. long. Sepals and petals brown-yellow striped with dull purple.
Sepals dorsally carinate, 3 cm. long, 8.5-9 mm. wide; dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceo-
late, obtuse and dorsally apiculate at the apex; lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate,
subacute and dorsally apiculate at the apex, oblique, somewhat sigmoid. Petals
from a broad cuneate more or less distinct claw, rather abruptly dilated into
an obliquely ovate lamina, acute, slightly concave, 3 cm. long, 1.5 cm. wide
at the widest point. Lip brown-yellow striped with dull purple, marked from
base to tip with a longitudinal olive-green stripe in the center, obovate-oval,
subentire, with the margins upcurved in natural position, about 3 cm. long, 2.1
cm. wide above the middle; apex broadly rounded and inconspicuously trilobulate,
the middle lobule broad and minutely apiculate, the smaller lateral lobules semi-
orbicular; disk provided with a thickened median line and with a pair of short
keels just in front of the column. Column short, fleshy, 5 mm. long, attached to
the lip for its entire length.
This is one of the largest-flowered species of Epidendrum found
in Guatemala. Except for the narrower leaves, it is almost identical
in habit with some of the small-flowered species of Sobralia. Epiden-
drum sobralioides is most closely allied to the extremely rare E. War-
scewiczii Reichb. f., an obscure Panamanian species. However, the
differently shaped and peculiarly lobulate lip readily separates it
RPIDEINDRUM
FIG. 104. Epidendrum sobralioides. 1, plant (X K); 2, flower, spread out
(X 1) ; 3, outline of apex of lip, showing lobes (X 3) ; 4, anther, from below ( X 10).
Drawn by G. W. Dillon.
379
380 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
from that species. The pedicellate ovary of E. sobralioides is also
apparently much shorter than that of E. Warscewiczii.
Represented from Guatemala only by the type collection.
Epidendrum Stamfordianum Batem. Orch. Mex. et Guatem.
1. 11. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum Stamfordianum
var. parviflorum Regel, Ind. Sem. Hort. Petrop. 19. 1856, and Ann.
Sci. Nat. ser. 4, 6: 374. 1856 (type: Guatemala). Figure 105.
Epiphytic on trees in open forests and coffee plantations, up to
600 meters alt. Rather common from Mexico to Panama, also
Colombia and Venezuela.
Plants stout, glabrous, up to 8 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs stipitate, slender, fusi-
form, tapering below into a long jointed stalk, obliquely ascending, up to 25 cm.
long and 2 cm. in diameter, 2-4-leaved, when young concealed by large mem-
branous pale brown sheaths. Leaves linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, cori-
aceous, 13-24 cm. long, 3-6.5 cm. wide. Peduncle lateral, arising from base of
pseudobulbs, provided with scarious imbricating or distant sheaths up to 5 cm.
long. Inflorescence a many-flowered raceme or panicle, up to 6 dm. long including
the peduncle; branches of the inflorescence subtended by lanceolate long-acuminate
scarious bracts up to 5.5 cm. long. Floral bracts variable in length, linear-lanceo-
late, long-acuminate, scarious, the lowermost up to 3.5 cm. long. Flowers showy,
greenish yellow, spotted with red, fragrant, with slender pedicellate ovaries up
to 3 cm. long. Sepals spreading, elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-oblanceolate, acute
to acuminate, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. wide about the middle; lateral sepals
somewhat falcate. Petals linear to linear-oblanceolate, acute to acuminate,
crenulate-crisped along the margins, 1.4-2.4 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide above the
middle. Lip united with the column for about two-thirds its length, deeply 3-lobed,
1.5-2 cm. long from the apex to the base of the column, up to 2.5 cm. wide across
the lateral lobes when spread out; lateral lobes obliquely oblong to obovate,
recurved, broadly rounded at the apex, minutely erose-crisped along the margins,
5-8 mm. wide; mid-lobe separated from the lateral lobes by a narrow isthmus,
from a cuneate base, broadly flabellate, bilobulate, deeply emarginate, with the
margins laciniate or shortly fimbriate, 10-15 mm. wide; disk with a pair of promi-
nent somewhat united calli at the base, with a thickened keel extending along
the center from between the basal calli to about the middle of the mid-lobe.
Column clavate, arcuate below the middle, tinged with red at the lobulate apex,
7-10 mm. long. Capsule obovoid, 2-3 cm. long.
This is the only species of Epidendrum in Guatemala whose in-
florescence is normally borne on a non-pseudobulbous, non-leaf-
bearing shoot that rises from the base of the 2-4-leaved pseudobulb.
It is a somewhat variable species often cultivated in northern green-
houses. The leaves vary in shape and the flowers in size and color.
The shape of the lip also varies.
Alta Verapaz: South of Cubilgiiitz, Steyermark 44569. — Izabal:
Virginia, Spinden. — Pete"n: La Libertad and vicinity, M. Aguilar H.
FIG. 105. Epidendrum Stamfordianum. Flowering plant (X */*)• Drawn
by Dorothy O. Allen.
381
382 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
462. — Quezaltenango: Colomba, Skutch 1990. — "Guatemala:" Lewis
177.
Epidendrum stenopetalum Hook. Bot. Mag. 62: t. 3410. 1835.
Epiphytic on trees in wet or swampy forests at low altitudes, up
to 600 meters alt. Widespread but not particularly common from
Mexico through Central America to Panama, Jamaica, Trinidad and
northern South America.
Plant erect or erect-ascending, caespitose, 1.2-4 dm. tall. Stem fleshy-thick-
ened, tapering above and below, flexuose, striated, up to 35 cm. long and 7 mm.
in diameter. Leaves distichous, erect-spreading, linear-oblong to linear-lanceolate,
obtuse and obliquely retuse at the apex, coriaceous, articulate, 4-12.5 cm. long,
5-12 mm. wide. Inflorescence an abbreviated few-flowered corymbose raceme
at the summit of the stem; peduncle and rachis mostly less than 2 cm. long, the
peduncle provided with short scarious imbricated bracts. Floral bracts ovate-
cucullate, acute, scarious, 3-4 mm. long. Flowers suberect, rather showy, rose-
violet, with slender pedicellate ovaries up to 3 cm. long. Sepals spreading, ovate-
lanceolate, oblong-elliptic or narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate, more or
less dorsally carinate at the recurved apex, 1-1.7 cm. long, 3-4 mm. wide; lateral
sepals oblique. Petals spreading, elliptic-obovate to broadly elliptic, shortly
acuminate, 1.3-1.8 cm. long, 6.5-8 mm. wide. Lip spreading, cuneate-obovate,
broadly rounded to obtuse or apiculate at the apex, entire or with minute lateral
lobules on each side below the middle, 1-1.8 cm. long, 9-10 mm. wide above the
middle; disk with a square, yellowish white, somewhat tuberculated callus at the
base. Column short, 5-6 mm. long, provided with a thickened ovate-obtuse
recurved wing on each side at the apex, with a short tooth on the lower side of
each wing, keeled on the back. Capsule ellipsoidal-cylindrical, more or less
3-angled, 2-2.5 cm. long.
The large wing-like lobes terminating the column are unusual in
Epidendrum.
Pet<§n: La Libertad, Landell 2323.
Epidendrum strobiliferum Reichb. f. Nederl. Kruidk. Arch.
4: 333 (reprint p. 18). 1858. Figure 106.
Epiphytic on trees in open or wet forests and thickets, usually
at low altitudes, up to 600 meters alt. Widespread but not particu-
larly common in southern Florida, Mexico, through Central America
to Panama, throughout the West Indies and in northern South
America.
FIG. 106. Epidendrum strobiliferum. 1, plant (X 1); 2, inflorescence (X 4);
3, dorsal sepal (X 6); 4, petal (X 6); 5, lateral sepal ( X 6); 6, lip ( X 6); 7, column
and upper part of ovary, side view (X 10); 8, column, front-ventral view (X 10);
9, anther (enlarged); 10, pollinia (much enlarged). Original drawing by Blanche
Ames; redrawn by G. W. Dillon.
383
384 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant commonly much-branched (sometimes simple when young), leafy,
caespitose, small, pendent to erect-ascending, up to 23 cm. tall. Stem somewhat
terete below, compressed above, often fractiflex, concealed by the greenish or
purplish leaf-sheaths. Leaves distichous, widely spreading, rigid, coriaceous,
elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, obtuse or retuse at the apex,
articulate, 1-4.5 cm. long, 3-10 mm. wide. Inflorescence composed of short
compact few-flowered racemes at the summit of the branches, up to 3.5 cm. long.
Floral bracts broadly ovate-cucullate, acute, distichous, more or less imbricate,
scarious, strongly ribbed, with erose-hyaline margins, often purplish brown, 4-9
mm. long. Flowers green, white or yellowish white, occasionally marked with
reddish lines, sessile, the segments subcoriaceous and strongly nervose. Dorsal
sepal oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse to acute, 3.5-4 (rarely up to 5.5) mm.
long, 1.2-1.4 mm. wide. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceo-
late, subobtuse to acute, carinate near the apex, about 4 (rarely up to 5.3) mm.
long, 1.8-2 mm. wide. Petals linear-spatulate to linear-oblanceolate, subacute
to acute, 3.5-4 (rarely up to 5.2) mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide above the middle.
Lip adnate to the column; lamina ovate-cordate to triangular-cordate, acute to
subacuminate, concave, 3-4 mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. wide; disk with two small
lamellae at the base, nervose. Column stout, about 1.5 mm. long, somewhat
dilated above in front, with a conspicuous triangular tooth on each side and
two smaller teeth at the retuse center of the apex. Ovary with a small vesicle
at the summit beneath the lip and lateral sepals. Capsule ovoid-ellipsoid, 6-9 mm.
long, with the dehiscing ribs broad with scarious wings.
Alta Verapaz: Chama, Johnson 861. — Izabal: Near Virginia,
Lewis 15. — Pet&i: Sabana San Francisco, La Libertad, Lundell
2142. La Libertad, Lundell 2597. — Eastern portions of Vera Paz
and Chiquimula, Watson 101.
Epidendrum subaquilum Lindl. Bot. Reg. 32: sub t. 64. 1846
(type: Mexico or Guatemala, Warner).
Epiphytic on trees, up to 500 meters alt. Rare in Mexico or
Guatemala and Jamaica.
Plant slender, 2-3 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-pyriform, unifoliate, clustered,
about 2.5 cm. long and 1 cm. in diameter, provided with several scarious fugaceous
sheaths. Leaves linear-ligulate, obtuse, 8-19 cm. long, 3.5-6 mm. wide. Inflores-
cence a slender loosely flowered panicle, up to 28 cm. long including the peduncle;
peduncle provided with small distant adpressed triangular obtuse to acute bracts
up to 6 mm. long. Floral bracts smaller than the bracts of the peduncle, spreading,
subulate. Flowers greenish yellow, striped with purple or reddish brown, with
slender pedicellate ovaries 4-10 mm. long. Sepals 3-nerved, linear-lanceolate to
elliptic-oblanceolate, somewhat acute, 8-10 mm. long, about 2 mm. wide; lateral
sepals oblique. Petals 1-nerved, linear, acute, 7-9 mm. long, mostly less than 1 mm.
wide. Lip entire, adnate to base of column, with a rather broad longitudinally
concave claw, broadly ovate above the claw when spread out, the margins upcurved
so as to embrace the column, up to 10 mm. long from the apex to the base of the
column, about 4 mm. wide across the lamina; disk with a fleshy-thickened, some-
what sulcate callus at the base of the lamina, with the callus continuing as three
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 385
keels to near the apex where they are noticeably thickened. Column slightly
clavellate, somewhat bilobulate and crenulate at the apex, 4-6 mm. long. Capsule
ellipsoid, about 1 cm. long.
Represented from Guatemala (?) only by Warner's collection of
the type.
Epidendrum teretifolium Sw. Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 121. 1788.
Terrestrial or epiphytic on trees and shrubs in humid forests or
brushy hillsides, up to 2,000 meters alt. Widespread and rather
common from Mexico through Central America to Panama, in the
West Indies and Venezuela.
Plant slender, erect-ascending, usually densely caespitose, 8-30 cm. long
including the flower. Stem terete below, somewhat compressed above, leafy,
concealed by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves distichous, erect-spreading, gently recurved,
more or less terete, fleshy, rigid, articulate, 1.5-5 cm. long, 1.5-2 mm. in diameter.
Flowers usually solitary at the apex of a slender compressed peduncle, erect to
suberect, sessile, yellowish green, the segments fleshy-thickened, subtended at
the base by one or two linear-foliaceous bracts 1.2-3 cm. long; stout pedicellate
ovary subtended by two or more compressed overlapping obtuse scarious sheaths
up to 9 mm. long. Peduncle up to 8 cm. long, provided with about four short
spathaceous bracts at the base. Sepals narrowly lanceolate, acute to subacuminate
at the more or less fleshy-thickened apex, canaliculate, 8-12 mm. long, 1.2-2 mm.
wide; lateral sepals oblique, often somewhat sigmoid and keeled on the back at
the apex. Petals linear-oblanceolate, rounded-obtuse to narrowly obtuse at the
thickened apex, dorsally carinate, 5.5-7 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate
to the basal portion of the column; lamina oval-elliptic and deeply concave on the
lower half with the margins upturned and surrounding the column, the semiterete
apical portion fleshy-thickened and 3-4-angled, 5.5-8 mm. long, about 2 mm.
wide across the lower half when spread out, the apical slender portion often gently
arcuate-recurved; disk with one to three small lamellae on the lower concave
portion. Column semiterete, two-winged at the apex, 4-5 mm. long. Capsule
ellipsoid, somewhat three-angled, 1-2 cm. long.
The lip of this species is quite distinctive because of the fleshy-
thickened apical point. In cross section the apical portion would
appear diamond-shaped. The short slender leaves are fleshy and
almost terete.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Johnson 606. Along Rio Carcha, between
Coban and San Pedro Carcha, Standley 89822.
Epidendrum trachycarpum Lindl. in Benth. Bot. Voyage
Sulph. 172. 1846; ampl. Ames, Sched. Orch. 4: 50, t. 3. 1923. Figure
107.
Epiphytic on trees in dry forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Ex-
tremely rare in Mexico and Guatemala.
386 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Plant erect-ascending, rather slender, about 6 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs pyri-
form, elongate, about 8 cm. long and 2 cm. in diameter near the base, provided
with basal fugaceous sheaths, trifoliate. Leaves linear-ligulate, tapering to the
acute apex, 24 cm. or more long, about 1 cm. wide. Inflorescence a few-flowered
simple or several-branched raceme at the summit of the elongated peduncle.
Floral bracts nearly obsolete, scale-like. Flowers fleshy, with stout verruculose
pedicellate ovaries that are about 1.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-oblong, obtuse to
subacute, narrowed toward the base, somewhat dorsally carinate at the apex,
about 1.8 cm. long, 7-8 mm. wide near the middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
spatulate or oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, the margins undulate-crisped,
1.7-1.9 cm. long, 5-7 mm. wide above the middle. Lip about 2 cm. long, deeply
3-lobed; lateral lobes much shorter and smaller than the mid-lobe, obliquely
ovate-triangular, narrowly obtuse, about 3 mm. long on the inner margin to the
sinus, about 2 mm. wide at the base; mid-lobe including the isthmus about 1.1 cm.
long, 1.1-1.2 cm. wide, rotundate, emarginate, the margins undulate and some-
what crenate; disk heavily veined, with a very fleshy oblong sulcate callus extend-
ing beyond the base of the middle lobe; callus rounded in front, abruptly decurrent
at the apex into three raised carinate nerves, about 8 mm. long and 4 mm. wide.
Column very fleshy, produced on each side into a broad triangular acute wing
but not auriculate, 8-10 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, about 3 cm. long.
The prominent callus and large middle lobe of the lip, in combina-
tion with conspicuously smaller lateral lobes, give to the flowers of
this species an aspect that is unusual in the genus.
Guatemala: Epiphytic in silvis siccis in utraque ripa fluvii Rio
Grande, 1,000 meters, Lehmann 1316 (fide Kranzlin in Engler, Bot.
Jahrb. 26: 502. 1899).
Epidendrum trachythece Schltr. Repert. Sp. Nov. 3: 249.
1907.
Epiphytic on trees, up to 2,400 meters alt. Rare in Guatemala
and Panama, rather common in Costa Rica.
Plant erect-ascending, caespitose, much-branched, 10-30 cm. tall. Stem
slender, leafy, about 2 mm. in diameter, concealed by densely rugose-tuberculose
leaf-sheaths. Leaves small, erect-spreading, linear to linear-elliptic, conspicuously
retuse at the apex, coriaceous, 1.2-6 cm. long, 3-7 mm. wide. Racemes short,
up to 1 cm. long, at apex of branches, few-flowered, the rachis somewhat fracti-
flex. Floral bracts suborbicular-cucullate, obtuse, scarious, 3-5 mm. long. Flowers
greenish or pale reddish green, fleshy, with pedicellate ovaries that are about as
long as the bracts. Sepals 3-3.5 mm. long, 1.8-2.5 mm. wide; dorsal sepal ovate-
oblong to oblong-elliptic, acute, concave; lateral sepals suborbicular-ovate, acute-
apiculate, dorsally carinate above the middle. Petals obliquely linear-ligulate,
obtuse, strongly incurved, 3-3.5 mm. long, about 0.5 mm. wide. Lip adnate to
the column; lamina with the sides strongly upturned, scoop-shaped, when spread
out subreniform or transversely elliptic and prominently acute-apiculate, 1.5-3
mm. long, 2-4 mm. wide when spread out; disk with a pair of depressed flap-like
calli in the middle or near the base. Column short, stout, about 1.5 mm. long.
Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, strongly 3-angled, 5-7 mm. long.
EPIDENDRUM
trac n.'uco.rjoum
FIG. 107. Epidendrum trachycarpum. 1, raceme, from type (X 3A); 2,
pseudobulbs and leaves, from type (X 3A); 3, lip and column, from flower of
type (X IJi). E. Lankesteri is a Costa Rican species. Drawn by Blanche Ames.
387
388 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Guatemala: Volcan de Pacaya, above Las Calderas, Standley
58465. Slopes of Volcan de Pacaya, between San Francisco Sales
and the base of the active cone, Standley 80770.— Zacapa: Sierra
de las Minas, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro de Monos,
Steyermark 42827.
E pid en drum Tuerckheimii (Schltr.) Ames, Hubbard &
Schweinfurth, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 3: 75. 1935. Encyclia
Tuerckheimii Schltr. Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 410. 1918
(type: Guatemala, Alta Verapaz, Coban, July, 1912, Turckheim
2456).
Epiphytic on trees in open mountain forests or on plains, up to
1,350 meters alt. Very rare in Guatemala and Honduras.
Plant rather stout, 4-8 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid, bifoliate, 3.5-5 cm. long,
up to 2.5 cm. in diameter. Leaves erect-spreading, linear-lanceolate, obtuse to
acute, glabrous, coriaceous, 15-40 cm. long, 1.7-3.5 cm. wide. Inflorescence an
erect laxly many-flowered panicle, up to 7.5 dm. long including the peduncle;
peduncle and rachis tuberculose, provided with short scale-like bracts up to
1 cm. long. Floral bracts deltoid-cucullate, apiculate, scarious, about 3 mm.
long. Flowers erect-spreading, yellow brown or bronze, on stout glandular-
tuberculate pedicels. Sepals spreading, fleshy, narrowly lanceolate to elliptic-
lanceolate, acute to acuminate, somewhat dorsally carinate near the apex, with
the margins slightly revolute, 2.3-2.6 cm. long, 4-5 mm. wide near the middle;
lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic-lanceolate, acute to acuminate,
2.2-2.5 cm. long, about 4 mm. wide near the middle. Lip adnate to the base of
the column, with a short claw, deeply 3-lobed on the lower fourth, 1.8-2.2 cm.
long from apex to base of column, about 1 cm. wide across the lateral lobes when
spread out, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve; lateral lobes obliquely oblanceo-
late, falcate, upcurved, obtuse to subtruncate and occasionally crenate at the apex,
about 7 mm. long to the base of the sinus and 2.5 mm. wide near the apex; mid-
lobe separated from the lateral lobes by an oblong isthmus, the lamina oblong-
elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, with the margins undulate-
crisped, the lamina about 1 cm. long and 6 mm. wide; disk with a somewhat con-
cave-sulcate callus on the isthmus, the callus extending as three broken keels to
about the middle of the mid-lobe, with the lateral nerves somewhat wavy-keeled.
Column semiterete, clavellate, curved, somewhat toothed at the apex, with short
obtuse auricles on each side near the apex, stained and spotted with purple, 8-10
mm. long. Capsule ovoid, densely glandular-tuberculate, 2-3 cm. long.
This species is easily distinguished by its densely glandular-
tuberculate pedicels and capsule. The following collections are in
fruit but probably represent this species: Alta Verapaz: Epiphyte
on tree, large swamp east of Tactic, alt. 1,300 meters, Steyermark
44003. — Jutiapa: Between Agua Blanca and Amatillo, Steyermark
30432.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 389
Epidendrum varicosum Batem. ex Lindl. Bot. Reg. 24: Misc.
30. 1838 (type: Guatemala, Skinner). Epidendrum quadratum
Klotzsch, Allg. Gartenz. 18: 402. 1850 (fide Lindley) (type: Guate-
mala, Warscewicz). Encyclia varicosa (Batem.) Schltr. Beih. Bot.
Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 474. 1918.
Terrestrial or on rocks and occasionally epiphytic in open woods,
usually at high altitudes, up to 3,000 meters alt. Rather common
from Mexico to Panama.
Plant slender, erect-ascending, glabrous, up to 8.5 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs
ovoid-fusiform at the base, mostly extended as a long neck above, 3.5-17.5 cm.
long, up to 3 cm. in diameter near the base, 2-3-leaved, enveloped below by 1-
several evanescent scarious sheaths. Leaves oblong-elliptic, elliptic-lanceolate or
ligulate-lanceolate, subobtuse to acuminate, coriaceous to thick-membranaceous,
up to 33 cm. long, 1.5-4.5 cm. wide. Raceme loosely few- to many-flowered, 4-70
cm. long including the slender peduncle; peduncle enveloped at base by a scarious
tubular sheath up to 11.5 cm. long. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, acuminate,
2-6 mm. long. Flowers fragrant, with long slender pedicellate ovaries up to 4 cm.
long. Sepals elliptic to elliptic-obovate, obtuse-apiculate to acute, with the margins
somewhat revolute, greenish brown, 8-18 mm. long, 3-5.5 mm. wide above the
middle; lateral sepals oblique. Petals greenish brown, obovate-spatulate to
oblanceolate, obtuse, with the margins somewhat undulate and revolute, 9-16 mm.
long, 3-7 mm. wide near the apex. Lip yellowish white, often purple-spotted,
adnate to base of column, with a broad prominent claw, deeply 3-lobed, 8-15 mm.
long from apex to base of column; lateral lobes 1.5-4 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide,
obliquely oblong or triangular-lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, often strongly
recurved; mid-lobe separated from the lateral lobes by a broad short isthmus,
obreniform or bilobulate, deeply emarginate, 6-12 mm. wide; disk tuberculate-
warty especially on the upper part, provided with a fleshy-thickened puberulent
callus between the lateral lobes and on the isthmus. Column stout, 3-lobulate
at the apex, 5-8 mm. long, usually purple-blotched. Capsule ellipsoid, strongly
3-angled with the angles winged, 2-5 cm. long.
This species is extremely variable in the length of the caulescent
neck of the pseudobulb, in the development of the tubercles or
warts on the lip, in the size and shape of the lateral lobes of the lip,
and in the size and shape of the leaves.
Alta Verapaz: Vicinity of Coban, Standley 92187; 89922 —
Amatitlan: Pacaya, Johnston 1386. — Baja Verapaz: Between Salama
and Purulha, Cook 239. — Chimaltenango: Santa Elena, Skutch 211.
Chichavac, Skutch 748. Chichoy Pass, Hunnewell 14669. Chimal-
tenango, Johnston 631; 1239. Slopes of Volcan de Acatenango,
above Las Calderas, Standley 61985. Tecpam, Johnston 1852.—
El Progreso: Between Calera and summit of Volcan Siglo, Steyer-
mark 43103.— Guatemala: Near San Rafael, Lewis 98. San Rafael,
Porter 11. From Antigua to Guatemala City, Porter 36; I. Aguilar
363.— Huehuetenango: Cerro Canana, between Nucapuxlac and
390 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Canana, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 49041. Damp
woods around summit, La Sierra (Tujimach), across river from San
Juan Atitlan, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 52005.—
Quezaltenango: Near Quezaltenango, Skutch 803. — Quiche": Nebaj,
Skutch 1694. — San Marcos: Six miles south and west of town of
Tajumulco, northwestern slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark
36628. Along Quebrada Canjula, between Sibinal and Canjula,
Volcan Tacana, Steyermark 36021. South and west of town of
Tajumulco, northwestern slopes of Volcan Tajumulco, Steyermark
36564.— Solola: Volcan Atitlan, south-facing slopes, Steyermark
47461. Volcan Santa Clara, south-facing slopes to summit, Steyer-
mark 46992; 46917; 46915. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, upper
slopes, along Rio Repollal to summit of mountain, Steyermark 42577a;
42520. Sierra de las Minas, between Loma El Picacho and Cerro
de Monos, Steyermark 42804.
K pi den drum verrucosum Sw. Nov. Act. Ups. 6: 68. 1799.
Terrestrial on grassy slopes in open mountain forests, on open
rocky banks and in thickets and deep forests, occasionally on tree
buttresses, up to 2,000 meters alt. Rather common and widespread
in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica and Colombia.
Plant erect, robust, up to 1.5 meters tall. Stem reedy, stout, up to 1 cm. in
diameter, concealed by the leaf-sheaths, leafy above; leaf-sheaths more or less
covered with black or brown rough spots or reticulations. Leaves narrowly
lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, distichous, subcoriaceous, erect-
ascending, often curved upward, 8-23 cm. long, 1-4 cm. wide below the middle.
Inflorescence mostly a compound panicle, rarely a simple raceme, many-flowered,
showy, somewhat pyramidal in outline, up to 40 cm. long; primary branches up
to 25 cm. long, branches and branchlets subtended by usually large scarious or
foliaceous lanceolate bracts up to 6 cm. long. Peduncle short, provided with
several scarious clasping sheaths up to 5 cm. long. Floral bracts triangular-
lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, up to 1 cm. long. Flowers white, with
slender pedicellate ovaries that are 1.5-2.5 cm. long. Sepals conspicuously spread-
ing, oblong-elliptic to elliptic-obovate, obtuse to subacute, usually more or less
thickened at the apex and terminated by a short somewhat tuberculose apicule,
concave, 6-10 mm. long, 1.8-3.5 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely
oblanceolate to linear-spatulate, obtuse to subacute, 5-9.5 mm. long, 1-3 mm.
wide near the apex. Lip adnate to the lower part of the column; lamina deeply
3-lobed, appearing 4-lobed, with the apical lobe deeply bilobed, 8-13 mm. long;
lateral basal lobes obliquely oblong, semielliptic to subquadrate or almost flabellate,
obtuse to truncate and irregularly erose or crenulate at the apex, strongly divari-
cate, 3.5-7 mm. long to the sinus, 1.5-2.5 mm. wide; mid-lobe tapering as a
narrowly linear or cuneate isthmus to the deeply bilobed apex with a mucro in
the sinus, with the lobules strongly divaricate, cuneate to broadly subquadrate-
flabellate and with the truncate apex erose to sublaciniate, each lobule 3-6 mm.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 391
long to the sinus and 2-5 mm. wide at the apex; disk more or less papillose, with
a linear-sulcate yellow callus at the base, the callus about 3.5 mm. long and more
or less 3-lobulate at the apex, thickened along the central portion from the base
to the sinus of the mid-lobe. Column short, somewhat tubular, dilated above
and split into four subquadrate lobes at the apex, 4-5 mm. long. Capsule ovoid,
about 2 cm. long.
The inflorescence of this species is variable, ranging from a com-
pound panicle to a simple raceme.
Alta Verapaz: Cobdn, Tilrckheim II 1999. — Chiquimula: Mon-
tana Nonoja, 3-5 miles east of Camotdn, Steyermark 31678.—
Huehuetenango: Between San Andre's and San Marcos, Sierra de
los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark 51839. Cerro Victoria, across river
from Finca San Rafael, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Steyermark
49611.— Quiche" : Nebaj, Skutch 1770.— San Marcos: Above Finca
El Porvenir, between Loma de la Paloma and "Todos Santos Chi-
quitos," slopes of Volcdn Tajumulco, Steyermark 37988.
Epidendrum verrucosum Sw. var. myrianthum (Lindl.)
Ames & Correll, Bot. Mus. Leafl. Harv. Univ. 10: 82. 1942. Epi-
dendrum myrianthum Lindl. Fol. Orch. Epid. 59. 1853.
Found in the same type of habitat as the typical form. Rare
in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Variety myrianthum is identical in habit with typical E. verrucosum and, except
for color, the flowers are also identical in appearance. Instead of being constantly
white as in the typical form of the species, the color of the flowers of var. myri-
anthum varies from almost pure white to a deep ruby-red or purplish red. They
also have a lilac odor. But the character that best separates var. myrianthum
from the typical form is the callus on the lip. The callus of var. myrianthum is
two-lobed at the apex instead of being three-lobed as in E. verrucosum. The
callus has the appearance of being composed of two distinct short linear keels.
Variety myrianthum is closely related to E. centropetalum Reichb. f.
Chiquimula: Rio Grande (Rio Concepcion), on Socorro Mountain,
above Finca San Jose", southeast of Concepcion de las Minas, Steyer-
mark 31141. — Santa Rosa: Volcan Jumaytepeque, Heyde & IMX
3852.— "Guatemala:" 1855, Skinner 134; 1940, Margaret W.Lewis.
Epidendrum viejii Reichb. f. Bonpl. 3: 220. 1855 (as "vieji").
Epiphytic on trees in swamps, about 1,450 meters alt. Extremely
rare in Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Plant rather slender, branched, 50 cm. or more tall. Stem terete, 3-5 mm.
in diameter, concealed by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves oblong-elliptic to elliptic-
lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, coriaceous, at the summit of the stem and branches,
up to 8 cm. long and 2.3 cm. wide. Raceme terminal, short, recurved-pendent,
392 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
provided with 1-2 bracts at the base, about 4 cm. long including the abbreviated
peduncle. Floral bracts lanceolate, up to 1 cm. long. Flowers small, with slender
pedicellate ovaries about 8 mm. long. Dorsal sepal oblong-elliptic, obtuse, longi-
tudinally concave, ecarinate, about 8.5 mm. long and 3.5 mm. wide. Lateral
sepals obliquely oblong-elliptic, acute, shallowly cymbiform, with a deep prominent
membranaceous keel on the back, which is irregularly dentate, about 10 mm. long
including the excurrent keel and 4 mm. wide. Petals elliptic-obovate, narrowly
obtuse to acute, slightly oblique, concave above the middle, about 7.5 mm. long,
3-3.8 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the column; lamina cordate-suborbicular, retuse
at the apex, about 6 mm. long and 7.5 mm. wide, with the lateral margins somewhat
upcurved; disk with a broad concave-sulcate callus in the central portion, with
the lateral and apical margins of the callus raised free as fleshy tubercles. Column
short, stout, 3-4 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, 1.5-2 cm. long.
Alta Verapaz: Large swamp east of Tactic, Standley 92524. —
"Guatemala:" 1855, Skinner 54.
Epidendrum virgatum Lindl. in Hook. Journ. Bot. 3: 83.
1840. Encyclia virgata (Lindl.) Schltr. Orchideen 212. 1914. Epi-
dendrum icthyphyllum Ames, Sched. Orch. 2: 28. 1923 (type: Guate-
mala, Alta Verapaz, Coban, May, 1907, H. von Turckheim II 1797).
Terrestrial and occasionally on trees in mountain forests, up
to 2,200 meters alt. Rather common in Mexico, Guatemala and
Honduras.
Plant usually large, stout, up to 14 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-pyriform,
4-8 cm. long, up to 3.5 cm. in diameter, provided at base with several membra-
naceous fugaceous sheaths, usually 2-3-leaved. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate to ligulate,
obtuse to shortly acuminate, up to 60 cm. long, 2-6 cm. wide. Inflorescence a
loosely many-flowered panicle, up to 13 dm. long including the peduncle; branches
of the panicle obliquely ascending, subtended by triangular-lanceolate concave
acute bracts about 1.5 cm. long. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, acuminate,
scarious, up to 12 mm. long. Flowers numerous, with smooth slender pedicellate
ovaries about 2 cm. long. Sepals fleshy-thickened, elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly
oblanceolate, obtuse to acute at the somewhat thickened apex, reddish brown or
greenish brown, 10-17.5 mm. long, 2.5-4 mm. wide; lateral sepals oblique. Petals
variable, same color as the sepals, linear to spatulate, obtuse to acute, fleshy,
9-15 mm. long, 1-3 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the base of the column, deeply and
unequally 3-lobed, fleshy, yellowish white, usually spotted with purplish dots,
9-15 mm. long from the apex to the base of the column; lateral lobes obliquely
oblong to obovate, broadly rounded to narrowly obtuse at the apex, recurved-
divaricate, 2-3.5 mm. long, 2.5 mm. or less wide; mid-lobe separated from the
lateral lobes by a short broad isthmus, suborbicular, ovate-elliptic to triangular-
ovate, subtruncate to acute at the apex, 4-8 mm. wide; disk with a large cushion-
like callus between the lateral lobes, with three keels extending from the callus
to above the middle of the mid-lobe. Column 5-7 mm. long, rather stout, trilobu-
late at the apex. Capsule ellipsoid, strongly 3-angled, 2-3 cm. long.
The shapes of the mid-lobe and the side lobes of the lip are quite
variable and the sinus between them is also variable even in flowers
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 393
of the same inflorescence. In some forms the sinus or isthmus is
almost lacking, in others it is quite elongated. The shape and
length of the leaves also vary. In Mexico, the Indians are said to
eat the raw pseudobulbs of this species.
Alta Verapaz: Coban, Turckheim 54. Large swamp east of
Tactic, Standley 92326; 92352. — Huehuetenango: Pine-wooded slopes,
along Rio Selegua, opposite San Sebastian, Steyermark 50484.
The following specimen is in fruit but probably represents this
species: Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, upper slopes, along Rio Repollal
to summit of mountain, Steyermark 42520.
Epidendrum vitellinum Lindl. Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 97. 1831.
Epiphytic on trees in open pine-oak forests or in humid woods,
up to 2,600 meters alt. Uncommon in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa
Rica(?).
Plants up to 5 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid-conical, compressed, 2-3-leaved,
2-6 cm. long, provided with several scarious fugaceous sheaths at the base. Leaves
linear-lanceolate to oblong-ligulate, obtuse to acute, coriaceous, subglaucous, up
to 30 cm. long and 5 cm. wide. Inflorescence a loosely flowered raceme or panicle,
up to 45 cm. long including the slender peduncle; peduncle provided with a rather
large complanate tubular sheath at the base, which is up to 11 cm. long and
with triangular bracts above. Floral bracts triangular-lanceolate, acute to acumi-
nate, sulcate, 4-7 mm. long. Flowers showy, orange-colored or deep scarlet, rather
large, with stout pedicellate ovaries about 1.5 cm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate
to lanceolate, acute to acuminate, dorsally carinate along the mid-nerve, recurved
above the middle, 1.5-2.3 cm. long, 4-8 mm. wide; lateral sepals somewhat oblique.
Petals broadly elliptic to elliptic-oblong, acute, with minutely undulate-crisped
margins, 1.5-2 cm. long, 4-12 mm. wide. Lip adnate to the base of the column,
entire, fleshy, pandurate-ligulate or linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic, acute, some-
what dilated above the middle, with the upper margins somewhat reflexed, dorsally
carinate along the middle below, 1-1.5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide near the apex;
disk with a fleshy callus about the middle, extended above into 1-3 short keels,
concave-sulcate below the callus. Column stout, trilobulate at the apex, 7-8 mm.
long. Capsule obliquely ellipsoid, strongly 3-angled, 2-3 cm. long.
This species is quite variable in size and color of the flowers.
Alta Verapaz -.Lewis 189. — Guatemala: Garden of Don Mariano
Pacheco H., said to have come originally from Las Nubes, Dept.
Guatemala, Steyermark 46383. — Zacapa: Sierra de las Minas, between
Cerro de Monos and upper slopes of Monte Virgen, Steyermark
42844— "Guatemala:" 1913 (in Herb. Ames).
Epidendrum xipheres Reichb. f. Fl. des Serres se>. 1. 9: 98.
1853-54.
394 FIELDIANA: BOTANY, VOLUME 26
Epiphytic on trees in dense forests, up to 1,000 meters alt. Un-
common in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and possibly Peru.
Plant very slender, caespitose, up to 4 dm. tall. Pseudobulbs small, ovoid,
1.5-3 cm. long, up to 1 cm. in diameter, surrounded by scarious sheaths that
disintegrate into fibers with age, unifoliate. Leaf narrowly linear, conduplicate-
ensiform, subacute, up to 26 cm. long and 4 mm. wide. Inflorescence a loosely
few-flowered raceme or panicle, up to 36 cm. long including the peduncle; peduncle
provided with triangular-lanceolate bracts. Floral bracts deltoid, acute, 1-4 mm.
long. Flowers small, spreading, with slender, densely hyaline-echinate pedicellate
ovaries that are 5-15 mm. long. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, acute to acuminate,
reddish brown with yellow or greenish lavender, 1-1.4 cm. long, 2-3 mm. wide;
lateral sepals oblique. Petals linear-oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, same color
as the sepals, 1-1.4 cm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide above the middle. Lip adnate to
the lower part of the column, deeply and unequally 3-lobed, 9-13 mm. long from
the apex to the base of the column, dingy yellow with fine lavender stripes; lateral
lobes linear-filiform to linear-spatulate, obtuse or obliquely bifurcate at the apex,
strongly falcate-divaricate, 4-5 mm. long, mostly less than 1 mm. wide; mid-lobe
separated from the lateral lobes by a short cuneate isthmus, the lamina varying
from subreniform to triangular-ovate, subobtuse to acute, the margins somewhat
undulate-crenulate, 5-10 mm. wide; disk with the main nerves of the mid-lobe
carinate-thickened, with a fleshy sulcate puberulent callus on the upper part of
the isthmus, the callus extending as three keels to about the middle of the mid-
lobe. Column fleshy, short, greenish lavender, trilobulate at the apex, not auricled,
5-7 mm. long. Capsule ellipsoid, densely hyaline-echinate, about 1.5 cm. long.
This species is vegetatively and florally similar to E. bractescens,
but is at once separable from that species by the non-auriculate
column and by the hyaline-echinate pedicel and ovary.
Guatemala: Guatemala market, Johnston 1981. — Zacapa: Sierra
de las Minas, along trail above Rio Hondo, Steyermark 29575.—
"Guatemala:" (Herb. Reichenbach).
EXCLUDED SPECIES
Epidendrum barkeriola Reichb. f. Gard. Chron. n. s. 22: 616.
1884, in synon. Schlechter (Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36, Abt. 2: 469.
1918) questionably includes this Mexican species (as Barkeria
barkeriola Reichb. f.) as from Guatemala. However, we have seen
no specimen from Guatemala.
Epidendrum glumaceum Lindl. as mentioned by Cogniaux in
Martius, Fl. Bras. 3, pt. 5: 88. 1898. Cogniaux cites this species
from Guatemala (Bernoulli 362). There is also a citation of a
questionable variety of this species (Bull. Herb. Boiss. 7: 542. 1899)
as follows: Huehuetenango, near Chacula, Seler 2327. We are
confident that the above are not referable to E. glumaceum, which
is a native of Brazil and Ecuador.
AMES AND CORRELL: ORCHIDS OF GUATEMALA 395
Epidendrum nutans Sw. as mentioned by Cogniaux in Urban,
Symb. Antill. 6: 528. 1910. Cogniaux cites this species as occurring
in Guatemala. However, we have seen no material referable to
this species, and we consider Cogniaux's citation open to question.
ERRATUM: Page 20
60. Leaves not articulated, i.e. marcescent, equitant,
closely approximate; stems elongate and epseudo-
bulbose (Subtribe LOCKHARTIEAE) 83. Lockhartia.
Publication 696
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
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